Diversity Action Plan

Markham Diversity Action Plan

Everyone Welcome Markham Diversity Action Plan Welcome The Mayor and Council of Markham The Town of Markham thanks all Participating community organizations include: Girls Incorporated of York Region RAINBOWS Canada participants including: Active Living Alliance Grand Parents Requesting Access & Dignity Society REENA set out on a process of civic self- Afghan Association of Ontario Greater Toronto Kurdish House Region of Peel Afghan-Canadian Senior Centre Hispanic Development Council ReNEW Experienced Worker Program examination and creative prob- John Livey, Chief Administrative Officer African Canadian Social Development Council Hispanic Development Council – Youth Program Retirement Home Associations Jim Baird, Commissioner, Development Services Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada Hong Fook Mental Health Association Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre lem-solving shortly after the 2006 Alzheimer Society of York Region Human Endeavour Rose of Sharon Andy Taylor, Commissioner, Corporate Services Amici Italian-Canadian Community Association IBM Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre municipal election. In his inaugu- Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor Annswell Court Foundation In Search of Justice Schizophrenia Society of Ontario ral address, the Mayor said, “the Victoria McGrath, Director, Sustainability Office ARCH Disability Law Centre Islamic Centre of Vali- e Asre Scouts Canada Armadale Chinese Seniors Association Don Taylor, Manager, Executive Operations Islamic Society of Markham Seneca Centre for Entrepreneurship Association for the Neurologically Disabled of Canada Jamaican Canadian Association Senior Tamil Society of Peel strength of our future lies in recog- Brenda Librecz, Commissioner, Community Association of Jewish Seniors Jamaican Canadian Association – The Mentoring Program Senior’s Residences Seniors for Seniors nizing the energy, determination and Fire Services Autism Society of Ontario Japanese Social Services Service Ontario INFOline Sharon Laing, Director, Human Resources Baha’i Community of Markham Japanese Social Services – Youth Programs Social Club 35 and talents of the new immigrants Bangladesh Awami Society Japanese Support Services Social Services Network Nadine Daley, Manager, Human Resources Bartimaeus Inc. Jehovah’s Witnesses Markham Congregation Somali Youth Association of Toronto who make Markham their home. John Ryerson, Director, Culture Behaviour Management Services of York and Simcoe Jewish Family and Child Services of York Region South Asian Family Support Services Regardless of their birth country, re- Jason Tsien, Community Resources Coordinator Bereaved Families York Region Jewish Immigrant Aid Services South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario - SALCO Big Brothers Big Sisters of York Jewish Women International (Markham-Unionville Chapter) Southern African Jewish Association of Canada – SAJAC Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning gardless of their religion or colour of B’Nai Brith Canada JOIN Network Springtide Resources Inc. Kathleen Graver, former Senior Communications Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf Justice for Children and Youth Support Enhance Access Service Centre (SEAS) skin, they are no less important than Advisor CAASA Kerry’s Place York Residential Program and Community Service Program Tamil Eelam Society of Canada Canada-China Economic & Cultural Centre Moe Hosseini-Ara, Director, Service Excellence, Kids Help Phone Tamil Eelam Society of Canada – Youth Wing those who arrived over 200 years Canadian AIDS Society Kinark Child and Family Services The Access Program Markham Public Library Canadian Association for Community Living Korean Community Center for Multiculturalism (KCCM) The Association of Parent Support Groups In Ontario Inc. ago. To every new resident, I pledge Yolanda Chan, Manager, Angus Glen Library Canadian Association of the Deaf Korean Community Centre for Multiculturalism – KCCM – Youth The Care Guide Lana Miljkovic, Information Services Librarian Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Korean Seniors Citizens Society of Toronto (KSCST) The Cross Cultural Community Services Association - TCCSA tonight to help adapt the services of Canadian Diabetes Association Krasman Centre The Family Resource Centre Fred Whitmarsh, Information Services Librarian the Town of Markham to your needs. Canadian Hearing Society K-W Multicultural Centre The Innovation Synergy Centre in Markham Angela Tse, Acting Manager, Markham Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario The Ontario Society (Coalition) of Senior Citizens’ Organizations To make this Town your Town.” 1 Village Library Canadian Jewish Congress Link Up Employment Services The York Centre Canadian Mental Health Organization - York Region Branch Lupus Ontario Toronto Chinese Community Services Association Andrea Dunn, Information Services Librarian Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB) Markham African Caribbean Association Toronto Seniors’ Council Matt Miller, GIS Analyst Canadian Paraplegic Association Markham Board of Trade Tragic Events Response Team The Mayor’s call for action was Warren Rupnarain, Accessibility Coordinator Canadian Pensioners Concerned – Ontario Markham Chinese Seniors Association Trillium Foundation Contents Canadian Red Cross Society – York Region Branch Cathy Molloy, Manager, Markham Museum Markham Economist and Sun Trinidad and Tobago 50 Plus & Seniors Association of Canada followed by a staff and councillors’ Canadian Tamil Chamber of Commerce Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians (Ontario) Cheryl McConney-Wilson, Diversity Specialist Canadian Tamil Congress Markham Filipino Heritage Group Filipino Canadian Youth Council Under the Banyan Tree Centre for the Developmentally Disabled session at which senior staff deter- Lorne Smith, Community Member and Official Care Watch Toronto Markham Italian Canadian Association Unionville Home Society On Belonging 3 mined to make Markham better Town Historian Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association Markham Seniors Activity Centre United Synagogue Youth Caribbean Canadian Seniors Club (CCSC) Markham Stouffville Parkinson Support Group United Way of York Region (see contact for Ethno-cultural Peter Fernandez, Consultant serve all of our diverse communities. Catholic Community Services of York Region (CCSYR) Markham Tamil Organization focus group) Prashanth Srichandramohan, Human Resources Centrefor Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Markham Tamil Seniors Association Canada Vedic Cultural Centre Maureen Brown, an internation- Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Markham Youth Theatre Victim Services of York Region Then, As Now 7 Centre for Information and Community Services (CICS) Maytree Foundation Vietnamese Association, Toronto ally recognized expert in inclusivity Centre for Information and Community Services of Ontario Mental Health Works Vietnamese Association, Toronto Youth Program Members of the Inclusivity (formerly known as Diversity) Centre for Information and Community Services of Ontario – Youth Midwives of York Region Vision Youth Leadership Program training, helped our staff to identify Advisory Committee (IAC) as of February 2008 are: Chabad Youth Network Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training Welcome Centre – York Region Branch Now, As Then... 22 CHATS (Community Home Assistance to Seniors) Monarch Women’s Club Women’s Learning Institute issues through Chinese Canadian National Council Muslim Welfare Centre Women’s Support Network of York Region Sheila Birrell, former Town Clerk 12 focus groups and an internal Chinese Canadians for Equity in York Region New Leaf Living and Learning Together Women’s Centre of York Region Catherine Biss, Chief Executive Officer, Markham Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Markham New Path Youth and Family Counselling Services Work On Track @ Seneca Focus On Four 35 diversity survey. We also took advice Public Libraries Chinese Family Services of Ontario Nin Os Kom Tin Committee Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care Janet Carnegie, former Director, Corporate Circle of Care Older Women’s Network Yellow Brick House from the community: the Mayor Comfort Keepers One Parent Families Association of Markham YMCA Business Services Communications & Community Relations, Community Care Access Centre Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors YMCA Markham consulted 35 key leaders; the staff Miriam Comerford, former Manager, Human Resources Community Crisis Response Services What We Offer 45 Ontario Association of Residences Treating Youth York Catholic District School Board Nadine Daley, Manager, Human Resources Compassionate Advantage Inc. Ontario Association on Development Disabilities York Centre for Children, Youth and Families organized 11 more focus groups, Congress of Black Women of Canada – York Region Ontario Early Years Centre – Markham York Child and Family Development Services Mark Ingwersen, District Manager, West Corbrook Ontario March of Dimes York Region Abuse Program with representatives of community Shayne Mintz, former Deputy Chief, Fire and COSTI-IIAS-Family Counselling Services Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) York Region Accessibility Services Where We Live 49 organizations and individuals from Emergency Services Deaf Blind Ontario Services Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Association, Active Retired York Region Children’s Aid Society Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Care Center (DASA) – York Region York Region Community Foundation (YRCF) Raj Raman, Acting Director, Financial and Members – ARM (OSSTF) Chapter 12 the community; and we implement- Easter Seal Society of Ontario – York Region Operation Catch-up York Region Small Business Enterprise Centre Client Services, Eating Disorders of York Region Palliative Care Network for York Region York Region Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee Moving Forward 53 ed Click With Markham, our innova- John Ryerson, Director, Culture Ed Joaquin Parent Action on Drugs York Region Youth Shelter Michael Shatil, former Manager Facilities, Epilepsy Ontario Parents for Youth York Regional District School Board tive online survey of citizens’ views. Ethno-Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario (ERDCO) Parya Trillium Foundation York Regional Police Services Asset Management; Evergreen Hospice of Markham-Stouville (Bereavement) Pathways for Children, Youth and Families of York Region York Support Services Network (South Office - Markham Branch) The result is this document which Val Shuttleworth, former Director, Planning Recommendations 54 Family Services York Region (FSYR) PFLAG York Region York University lays out the paths that we will travel and Urban Design Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham Project Work York Youth Program Focus – Career Services for Women Providence Learning Centres Youth Assisting Youth Don Taylor, Manager, Executive Operations toward an inclusive Markham. Future Possibilities Canada Punta Serena Counseling Services & Healing Centre Lori Wells, Manager, Programs Gay York Region Race Relations Committee Tahmena Bokhari, former Diversity Coordinator Giant Steps Toronto Maureen Brown, Principal, Diversity Trainers Plus

Welcome to Markham, one of the fastest growing and culturally diverse municipalities in Canada.

Here is our plan to make our community work for everyone.

Cover Image: At Swan Lake Park, during Markham’s Future race. Photograph courtesy of Markham.

Left: At Milne Park, on Canada Day, 2008. Photograph by Stephanie Lake.

On Belonging

Markham’s demographic makeup has changed so dramatically in the last thirty years that it has become a wide open window on the world. It is now the most visibly diverse municipality in a country well known for multiculturalism. About 57 percent2 of our citizens are foreign born, and 65 are “visible minorities,”3 many from areas not previously well represented in Canada. Markham’s cultural wealth is both a benefit and a challenge, as new ideas and ways of doing things compete with, or extend, the traditional ways.

The benefits are obvious; where else can one walk—in the malls, recreation centres, parks, schools, streets—and enjoy the pleasures and wisdom of so many traditions all at once? Markham is directly connected, through ties of history and family, to every corner of our globalized world. But the challenge is obvious too: how do we build one community from so many?

Sudden and remarkable change can undermine the sense of belonging which Top: 4 The community gathers at The Milliken is as vital to individual well-being as it is to a well-ordered community. New- Mills Children’s Festival, held at the comers find themselves in a stranger’s world, having left family, friends and Milliken Mills Community Centre, familiar landscapes far behind. With diverse origins come different languages, summer, 2008. Photograph courtesy of Councillor Logan Kanapathi. values, religious beliefs, cultural practices and styles of political engagement.

Bottom: Over time, the mix of cultures in Markham has widened and deepened; The community celebrates in the light of the Olympic torch as it passes through the where there were once only Christians in Markham’s four founding vil- Markham Civic Centre, December, 2009. lages (Markham, Unionville, Milliken, Thornhill)5, there are now Jews, Photograph by Stephanie Lake. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and many people who are not affiliated with any religion.6 What’s old news to some, is new to others. The descendents of the first generations of European immigrants to Markham—Ger- mans, Swiss, British—have become a new minority among Canadians from China, India, Korea, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and the islands of the Caribbe- an. More than half of Markham’s households use English at home and almost none use French (although the French were the first Europeans to explore southern Ontario and among the first to settle here).7 An estimated 16 percent of Ontario’s citizens have a disability, creating another minority—sometimes acknowledged, but often hidden.8

Yet at least two things unite Markham’s many communities: everyone wants a better future for themselves and their children, and we all share Markham as home. Everyone should feel that they belong.

{ 2 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 3 } Governments can make a profound difference in peoples’ lives by enhancing this sense of belonging, both through practical measures and by leading the way. An example of one such practical measure is the federal, provincial and municipal governments’ new Welcome Centres (— two will open in Markham in 2010)—where newcomers can find the information and advice they need to settle here.

But getting the paperwork done is just the beginning of the process of creating a healthy, sustainable community. Markham intends to do much more than help cut red tape: it will also be the bridge that connects disparate groups, and it will work to shape our public sphere so that everyone feels welcome and everyone has reason to trust in their government.

This will require nimbleness and flexibility on the part of Council and staff. No community’s leadership can ever perfectly reflect such a quickly-changing ethnocultural mix as Markham’s. There is a time lag between arriving in a new country, getting one’s bearings, and stepping forward into public life. The makeup of Markham’s staff reflects earlier waves of immigration. Em- ployees try to offer services in the many languages spoken in Markham, especially for seniors who may not speak either official language, and who may be uncertain of their rights as Canadians. However, Markham is not perfect and it has work to do. Top: A new couple joined together in Markham has already taken several steps along the path to inclusion. the oldest church in Markham— at the Markham Museum. Photograph by Patty Ho.  Markham has accepted the opportunity presented by the United Na- tions Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Coalition of Mu- Bottom: nicipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD)to become a Celebrating Canada Day in Markham, 2009. Photograph by Stephanie Lake. member. The coalition’s member municipalities are resolved to maintain social cohesion through action, accountability and behaviour. CMARD members focus on removing all ethnocultural barriers to public access and promoting the value and virtues of diversity.9  Markham has moved to meet its obligations under Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act concerning access to services for all persons with disabilities.10 Our research and consultations have helped us identify four groups that need attention if we are to make Markham inclusive: youth, newcomers and visible minorities, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

Markham’s services should be designed with special consideration for how these groups will be affected. If we do that well, a new Markham will result — one in which diversity gives rise to unity, and in which the dream of inclusion becomes reality.

{ 4 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 5 } Then, As Now

Our residents have told us that Markham’s inclusive future must begin by honouring the past. Everybody’s histories need to be acknowledged so they can be woven into the fabric of the Markham story.

In the Beginning… People firstarrived in the Markham area about 9000 BC11 These aboriginal groups, called Paleo Indians by archaeologists, roamed a landscape freshly exposed by the retreat of Ice Age glaciers. They hunted the last of the giant

Top Left: mastodons and mammoths gorging on the lichens, grasses and herbs grow- The earliest contacts between First Na- ing where ice had once towered three kilometres high.12 Archaeologists spec- tions Canadians and Europeans explor- ulate that they may have used sleds and canoes to cross the huge meltwater ers on trade. Explorers drew, painted and described the people they met and lakes and swollen rivers, and the main evidence of their presence is the fluted the wonders they encountered in letters stone spear points, atl-atl spear throwers, residues of camp fires and some and memoirs. tools carved out of bone that they left behind.13 Historié Canadensis, sev Novae-Franciae Libri Decem, Ad Annum usque Christi, MDCLV François Du Creux 1664, 17th By about 8000 years ago, groups that archaeologists call Archaic had discov- century © McCord Museum. ered new technologies. They are known for their beautifully worked copper

Top Right: spear points, knives and woodworking implements, which were used earlier Aboriginal person with objects to here than in Asia or Europe. Copper was mined north of Lake Superior, and sell, 1866. was transferred through trade networks as far as 1500 kilometres from its Photograph by William Notman 14 (1826-1891) © McCord Museum. point of origin.

Bottom: About 3000 years ago, Woodland groups began to build large ceremonial Canadian Voyageurs, oil on canvas 1915 15 by Miguel Hortiguela. burial mounds along the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes, (—their Reproduced with permission of the customs for honouring their dead influenced by people far south in Ohio). Royal Ontario Museum. They used bows and arrows, and made pottery and stone pipes.

Around 500 AD, corn agriculture, established thousands of years earlier in Mexico, was adopted in southern Ontario (squash and tobacco were already grown, and beans and sunflowers were soon added).. Life changed radically. Villages replaced seasonal hunting and fishing camps; pottery styles became elaborate and were passed, like family longhouses, from mother to daughter; and land clearing, (done by fire), required field rotation, so villages moved every decade or so. Remains of these settlements, dating to approximately 800 AD, have been found in the Pickering area and in Markham, where there have been finds of burials in communal graves called ossuaries.16 By the time Eu- ropeans arrived, some villages had multiple palisades, up to 38 longhouses, with populations as high as 2000.17 European trade goods had already made their way from the east coast long before the first French explorers18 appeared in person.

About 1000 AD, Markham was settled by the Iroquois people, who lived in

{ 6 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 7 } semi-permanent villages. They grew mainly corn, but also squash, beans and sunflowers in the fertile soil of the valley of the Rouge and Don rivers. After great conflict between native tribes, particularly the Six Nations Confedera- tion south of Lake Ontario, the Algonquian-speaking Mississaugas moved down from north of Lake Huron and spread out along the north shore of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. What is now Markham was considered Mississauga territory at the time the first Europeans arrived. These Native people used the Rouge River and valley as a route to Lake Simcoe, and on to Georgian Bay, for trading. A large number of archaeological sites within the boundaries of Top Left: Archaic tang notched copper Markham, particularly those close to the Rouge River, have provided many point, 3500-3500 BCE, found on the west side of the Credit River in southern artifacts that illustrate their active life before the arrival of European settlers. Ontario. Reproduced with permission of Many of these artifacts are housed in Markham Museum. The Town supports the Royal Ontario Museum. the legislative requirements of the Planning Act to consult with its First Na- Top Middle: tions communities. Juvenile practice pot found on the Robb site in Markham, Ontario, among the The First Europeans remains of a circa 1450 CE Wendat village measuring 1.8 hectares. The first British Governor of Canada, Lord Dorchester, bought vast tracts of Reproduced courtesy of Archaeological land along Lake Ontario and Lake Erie by treaty from the Mississauga First Services Inc. of Toronto. Nations. This land became known as the Toronto Purchase.19 In 1791 British Top Right: Early French engraving of a Parliament passed the Constitutional Act which established Upper Canada as Wendat village showing longhouses and a distinct territory from Quebec.20 John Graves Simcoe was appointed Lieu- styles of dress. tenant Governor of Upper Canada in 1792. Simcoe set up the seat of Parlia- Middle Left: Iroquois man as illustrated ment in Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake), directly across the Niagara River by Giani Dagli in Travel Encyclopaedia, from Fort Niagara.21 Simcoe was very conscious of the danger from the new published by Grasset and Labrousse, United States across the Niagara River, and decided that he needed a new in 1796. Reproduced courtesty of the Art Archive/Bibliotheque des Arts military road from Lake Ontario north to Georgian Bay. In 1793, he instructed Decoratifs, Paris. his chief surveyor Augustus Jones to mark out a road from York (now Toronto) Middle Right Top: Iroquoian stone pipe to Holland Landing on Lake Simcoe (named after his wife). He called the road found on the Robb archaeological site, 22 Yonge Stree, after the British Secretary of War, Sir George Yonge. dating between 1300 and 1350 CE, when southern Ontario was dominated by the Wendat (Huron) league of first nations. His next need was for hardy settlers to create wealth from the forests north of Reproduced courtesy of Archaeological Lake Ontario and to provide food, that would not have to be shipped on Lake Services Inc., Toronto. Ontario for the people of York. He advertised for such families in Philadel- Middle Right Bottom: phia. Some residents of the new United States, who were loyal to the British Pop-eyed Birdstone, Meadowood Crown and unhappy with their new government, quickly took up Simcoe’s Culture, 1000-400 BCE Early Woodland offer and moved to the north shore of Lake Ontario. Period. Collection of the Markham Museum.

One group of 68 German Lutheran families, under the leadership of entre- Bottom:Iroquoian carved wooden club, preneur and artist William ‘Moll’ Berczy, approached Simcoe for land. Simcoe 1700s, from the Great Lakes region. Reproduced with permission of the offered Berczy a complete township of 60,000 acres north of the town of York Royal Ontario Museum. and east of the new Yonge Street. He called it Markham after his friend Wil- liam Markham, the Archbishop of York in England.23 Part of the deal was that Berczy and his men improve the surveyed Yonge Street. Some of these settlers were German Hessian soldiers, who had been hired to fight for Britain in the US War of Independence.

{ 8 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 9 } Top: A painting by William Bent Berczy, son of William Berczy, called Huron A surveyor named Iredell then laid out the Township in a rectangular shape, Indians Leaving their Residence near Amherstburg, Upper Canada on a Hunt- beginning at Yonge Street and moving east to what is now the Pickering Town ing Excursion, circa 1825-1834. Line. He created ten concessions, 2 kilometres wide, that ran from the north- Watercolour over graphite on woven ern boundary of Scarborough (now Steeles Avenue north) to the Whitchurch paper. Unlike his father, the younger Berczy prospered in Canada, becoming Town Line (now the Gormley-Stouffville road). They were crossed by six east- a legislator and a lieutenant colonel west sideroads, 2 kilometres apart. These concession roads and side roads in the militia, as well as a tobacco farmer. have remained Markham’s major thoroughfares but have been given new Painting reproduced courtesy of the National Gallery of Canada. names. Concession 1 is Yonge Street, Concession 2 is Bayview Ave, Conces- sion 3 is Leslie Street, Concession 4 is Woodbine Avnue, Concession 5 is War- Middle Left: Iroquois Woman from den Avenue, Concession 6 is Kennedy Road, Concession 7 is McCowan Road, Kahnawáke by Cornelius Kreighoff, famed painter of life in 19th century concession 8 is Markham Road, Concession 9 remains as Ninth Line, and Canada, circa 1847-1852. Reproduced Concession 10 is Reesor Road. The first side road north of Steeles is 14th Av- courtesy of the McCord Museum. enue. Highway 7 is next, followed by 16th Avenue, Elgin Mills Road and 19th

Middle Centre Left: Huron Wendat Avenue. Hunter painted by Cornelius Kreighoff. Some of the Wendat who survived the The land within each block was divided intofive lots of 200 acres each. This war in Ontario in 1649 fled to Quebec where they still reside near Quebec City. survey included the allocation of one-seventh of the lots for the Church of England's clergy. These were called clergy reserves.24 Another one-sev- Middle Centre Right: Portrait of enth of the lots were reserved for the disposition of the Crown or, in other Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe (1752-1806), the first Lieutenant Governor words, the Lieutenant-Governor’s government. The fact that the Lieutenant- of Upper Canada. This portrait is by an Governor could dispose of these lands as he wished meant that he could unknown painter circa 1796. Simcoe’s raise money without having to ask for the approval of the new local as- surveyor laid out the territory for what we now call Markham. sembly. The Lieutenant-Governor of that time had real power, which came, Reproduced courtesy of the McCord not from the electorate, but from the powers given to him by the Imperial Museum. Government in London. He resented, and avoided when possible any con-

Middle Right: William Berczy: a self straints that an elected assembly could put on him. The Crown reserves portait. Berczy was one of Canada’s were leased to farmers, with the payment going to assist the Government. earliest portrait painters as well as a They were eventually all sold by 1828, but the clergy reserves continued settler’s agent. Reproduced courtesy of the Royal Ontario Museum. to be a source of friction, and even contributed to the grievances that led to the rebellion of 1837. They were not sold off until 1854. Bottom Left: Canada’s trade routes were created by First Nations, and were used by the fur traders of the Hudson’s Each of the original Berczy settlers received, free of charge, one lot of 200 Bay Company, which had a monopoly acres. These first German speaking settlers moved onto their land in the on European/First Nations trade fall of 1794 by way of Yonge Street, and across what is now John Street. A throughout a vast expanse of North America. This 1823 paining by Peter number of the families settled at Leslie Street to create the first community Rindisbacher is titled The Company’s of German Mills. They had to clear the forest for their homes and barns, Officers Travelling in a Canoe Made which they built mainly between concessions 2 and 6. It was very difficult of Birchbark Manned by Canadians. Reproduced courtesy of the National to grow their first crops of wheat and peas as well as the vegetables they Gallery of Canada. needed for food. Some men had to return to York and Niagara to get work to feed their families. However, they persevered and established a Luther- Bottom Right: Many of the Berczy settlers hauled their goods to Markham in an Church north of Unionville (still an active congregation) and another Conestoga wagons like this one, painted in Buttonville (which ceased to operate in 1925). Even though Lieutenant by, Mr. Murray Pipher. John Graves Simcoe had promised William Berczy the entire Township of Markham, his successor (when Simcoe returned to England in 1796) be-

{ 10 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 11 }

came nervous about these “foreign speaking” rural people, and refused to grant them ownership of their land until they had lived there for seven years.

William Berczy had incurred significant debts bringing settlers to Markham, and he expected to sell the rest of the Markham lots in order to pay his debts. Top: Deep in debt, by 1803, Berczy and his family moved to Montreal, where he Settlers endured terrible hardships returned to his training as an artist. He is now recognized as an outstand- while they built cabins and planted crops. This log cabin once stood on the east ing artist of the early 1800s. The Varley Art Gallery in Markham has several side of Warden Avenue, across from of his paintings. Unionville High School. This photograph of Nehemiah Ogden’s family was taken circa 1905. Reproduced courtesy of By 1804, a new group of German-speaking settlers of Swiss origin began to Markham Museum Collection. arrive from Pennsylvania. Sixty-five families travelled the 800 kilometre trail in large Conestoga wagons, with all of their worldly goods, to establish farms Middle Left: The Reesor family was among the first in the eastern part of the Township. Most of these Pennsylvania Germans to come to Markham from Pennsylvania. were of the Mennonite faith, and they held Sunday worship in their homes. Here Fred Reesor, a descendant, W. Thom They did not build meeting houses until the 1850s. and A. Scott break ground on the Reesor farm. Reproduced courtesy of Markham Museum Collection. These early settlers were hard working and skillful. They cleared their farms, built roads, built saw and grist mills (using water power) for en- Middle Right: The second and third generations lived ergy on the Rouge River and Don River, manufactured tools and farm much better than the first. This home was equipment, traded farm products, opened stores, built their schools and built by the son of a settler in the 1840s, churches and established their communities. They worked co-operatively and was bought by his sister Mary Klinck in 1866. The Klincks were prosperous in “bees” to build barns, houses and churches, and to cut wood and enough to host a large crowd, as seen in harvest crops. Small hamlets at the crossroads included German Mills, this photograph from 1905. Reproduced Thornhill, Buttonville, Milliken, Unionville, Victoria Square, Village of courtesy of Markham Museum Collection. Markham, Mount Joy, Box Grove and Cedar Grove. Many of these hamlets Bottom Left: still exist today. Dollar, Hunters Corners, Cashel, Mongolia, Headford and Some prisoners, jailed after the failed Peaches, have been lost. rebellion, carved wooden boxes as tributes to their comrades. This one was made by James Cane. It reads: Top: Thus, by 1825 these first German settlers, and other settlers of British origin, From James Cane in prison Toronto June had created the foundations of the prosperous community we now know as 16th 1838. Side Front: In memory of Samuel Lount & P. Mathews Executed the Town of Markham. Groups were free to worship in their own faith and to April 12th 1838. Reproduced courtesy build the church buildings they needed. Most churches created cemeteries of Markham Museum. around their buildings to provide a respectful burial ground for those early Bottom Middle: pioneer families. These cemeteries are still visible today across the Town. Portrait of William Lyon MacKenzie, leader of the Rebellion, by John Wycliffe By the 1850s, the Township of Markham and its villages had reached a Lowes Foster, 1931. Reproduced courtesy of Library and Archives Canada. stable population of about 10,000 inhabitants. The villages, with their stores, wagon makers, blacksmiths, harness makers, shoemakers, dress mak- Bottom Right: ers, and tanners, were the service centres for the agricultural communities. Portrait of Benjamin Milliken, Major in the Sedentary Militia. All fit males between the ages of 16 to 60 were required In 1853 and 1871, Markham was changed forever with the introduction of to enroll in local militias to defend Upper the railroad from Toronto through Richmond Hill, and through Milliken, Canada. Milliken served as a private in the York Militia in the War of 1812 and Unionville and Markham to Stouffville and beyond. The communities now later rose in rank. Reproduced courtesy had ready access to new markets for their products, and could receive goods of Markham Museum Collection.

{ 12 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 13 } from Toronto. The train stations became the hub of the community. Com- munications improved with the arrival of daily newspapers. Manufactur- ers like the Speight Wagon Works in the Village of Markham had markets for their products across Canada.

Early in the 20th century Markham was affected by the invention of the auto- mobile. Transportation improved, the roads improved, but the population remained relatively stable until 1950 (after World War II) when Markham began to see an influx of more European immigrants from wartorn Europe.

A Township for All Reasons

Top Left and Top Middle: Then as now, Markham’s story is about overcoming adversity through inge- January 1, 2010 Flag raising to celebrate nuity. All kinds of people came from all kinds of places, with shared dreams 200th anniversary of the Governor of religious freedom and even the hope of self-government. General’s Horse Guards at the Civic Centre. Photograph by Roger Carlsen. Markham grew more quickly after World War II. Young families moved out Top Right: from the City of Toronto in search of a more suburban lifestyle. After the fed- George Crandell, a member of the notorious Markham Gang of the 1840s, eral government announced its new multicultural policy in 1971, Markham received a penitentiary sentence of five opened its immigration system. And as migration from Toronto continued, years for larceny when the gang was Markham’s population grew significantly. Between 2000 and 2006 alone, the broken up and prosecuted. Photograph reproduced courtesy of population of Markham grew by 22 percent, while other areas in Ontario grew the Toronto Star. by only 6.6 percent.25

Middle Left: Reesor Rd and Highway 7, circa 1958, Contemporary Immigration. Chinese immigration to Markham came Photograph courtesy Lorne Smith, Town in advance of the handover of the governance of Hong Kong by the Historian. British to The People’s Republic of China in 1997. The Chinese com-

Middle Right: munity is now the largest visible minority in Markham. Making up 34 2009 Christmas Mess Dinner Gathering percent of Markham’s total population, the Chinese community is of the 748 Governor General’s Horse almost as big as all the European ethnocultural groups combined. Guard Cadet Corp, Markham 2009. Italians, Koreans, Filipinos, Iranians, Afghans, Russians, Serbians, and Bottom: Indians have all come at different times for different reasons. The At the end of US Civil War, as Canada Vietnamese boat people came in the 1980s, escaping from persecu- prepared to become a nation, Fenian invaders tried to move in from the South. tion after US troops pulled out of Vietnam. Perhaps the most notable The militias were called out to defend is the Tamil community. Although there is some uncertainty about the the borders. The 12th York Battalion of numbers in the international Tamil diaspora, estimates suggest that it’s Infantry, with its company 7 located in Markham, was formed in the fall of 1866. approximately 700,000. According to Human Rights Watch, Canada has This manoeuvre, practiced at Holland the largest Tamil population outside of Sri Lanka: roughly 200,000, with Landing in 1868, was a defence against the majority living in the GTA.”26 cavalry. Reproduced courtesy of Markham Museum Collection. The Rebels. William Lyon Mackenzie, who led the Rebellion of 1837, was elected five times by Markham Township to the Assembly of Upper Canada. But Mackenzie was expelled because of his vocal opposition to an autocratic government that mainly served a few families known as the Family Compact. The rebellion was defeated, and many of the rebels were jailed. While in jail, some of the rebels carved memorial boxes. The

{ 14 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 15 } inscription on one such box, made by James Cane in 1838, says,“Tyrants their fetters forge in vain, To crush thy spirit—Liberty, Like brittle glass shall burst the chain, From hands now striving to be free.”27 Repression did not last, as responsible self-government came four years later.28

The Criminals. The Markham Gang’s exploits in the 1840s became notorious. Their well-organized crimes included murder, robberies, break- ins, horse thievery and the spread of counterfeit money they called “boo- dle” throughout Upper Canada, Lower Canada, Michigan, Vermont, and New York. They swore secrecy to the death, terrified local constables, in- timidated juries, perjured themselves and sent scouts—tailors, peddlers

and phoney preachers—to people’s houses in search of loot. At an ex- Top Left: change location in Lower Canada, counterfeit money was traded for sto- Susannah Maxwell and her husband, len goods at a ratio of 100 counterfeit dollars to $10 worth of goods. The escaping slavery in the US, fled to Canada in 1861 and settled in Gang’s low morals were explained as the result of having been born in Richmond Hill. She and her daughter the US or Canada, and on former rebels as well. The man pictured here, Tillie earned a living by doing laundry. George Crandell, was sentenced to five years in penitentiary for larceny.29 Reproduced courtesy of Markham Museum Collection.

The Heroes. Just as radical political ideas flourished in Markham, so did Top Right: groups ready to die for the Crown. The first cavalry militia was founded A car club makes a pit stop in front of the Queen’s Hotel en route to the in 1810 by Buttonville farmer Captain John Button, and fought against Markham Fair. Reproduced courtesy American invaders in the War of 1812. Renamed many times, this re- of Markham Museum Collection. serve regiment has earned battle honours in every Canadian conflict Middle Left: and peacekeeping operation. Now called The Governor General’s Horse Workers at the Maple Leaf Woollen Guards Regiment, they celebrate their 200th anniversary in Markham in Mills, circa 1910. Reproduced courtesy 2010. They are recently deployed in southern Afghanistan; their modern of Markham Museum Collection.

Markham Cadet Corp is as diverse as Markham. Middle Right: A Fire Brigade all ready to go, circa First Visible Minorities: African-American. Markham Township was 1912. Reproduced courtesy of Markham Museum Collection. one of many stops on the Underground Railroad (a series of safe- houses where runaway slaves could rest by day as they moved towards Bottom: safety of Upper Canada by night). Although slavery was abolished in Main street, in front of the Unionville Post Office, gets a makeover, circa 1910. Upper Canada in 1793, it wasn’t outlawed across the entire British Reproduced courtesy of Markham Empire until 1834. It was only then that former slaves lost their fear Museum Collection. of the bounty hunters who sometimes crossed the border to abduct them. Markham Township was safer than York because it was farther from that border. The Methodist Church played a large role in ending slavery. Methodist preachers, called circuit riders, travelled Markham Township on horseback to pray with the isolated settlers. Among these preachers was Richard Barnhard, or Brother Barnhard, a former slave who arrived in Markham circa 1836. Barnhard travelled the Methodist circuit for years, (winter and summer, rain or snow), and, alhough he was unable to read, he led the singing of hymns, which he’d learned by heart. He eventually became a highly respected member of the board of what is now the St. Andrew’s United Church in Markham.30

{ 16 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 17 } Susannah Maxwell, a former slave, arrived from Pennsylvania in 1861 with her husband, and set up a laundry business in Richmond Hill. When she died, at 111, she was the oldest woman in Canada.

First Southern European Minorities: The Italians. The Pagnello family settled at Box Grove, an area known for its rough taverns, and tough working people, at the beginning of the 20th century. When they bought the last operating hotel, The White Rose, in 1910, they were visible enough that their house was burned down by arsonists resentful of “foreigners.”31

First Visible Minorities: The Chinese. Chinese immigrants arrived in Top Left: Markham as early as 1911. Legend has it that the townspeople saw one Ointments made in Markham at the turn Chinese laundry owner painting the English sign in his store window of the 20th Century. Reproduced courtesy of Markham Museum Collection. backwards. They were too embarrassed to point this out until he was almost done. Until 1961, there were only a handful of Chinese residents Top Right: in Markham. Official federal government discrimination toward this Thomas Speight of Yorkshire England arrived in Markham in the visible minority was harsh; for many decades, Chinese men had to pay 1830s and set up a carriage making a punitive head tax just to land in Canada and, until the early 1960s, business which grew large enough to Chinese Canadians had no right to vote.32 supply Toronto’s horse drawn bus and street cars and employ 125 people at its peak in the 1880s. Poster reproduced First Chinese Professional. Dr. Morley Lem, DDS, came to Markham courtesy of Markham Museum Collection. in 1963, straight out of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto. His father had arrived in Western Canada, at the age of 15, Middle Left: Women working the knowing no one. Living in Alberta, his father built five restaurants and a switchboard of the Bell Telephone grocery store, but eventually sold them all to move his family to Ontario, office, circa 1962. Photograph courtesy He wanted his son, the future Dr. Lem, to have his choice of universities. of Markham Museum Collection.

Middle Right: Dr. Lem decided to start his practice in Markham because the Province A plane set to land at of Ontario had created the Toronto Centred Plan, which designated Buttonville Airport, an international airport serving small planes with up to Markham as a high-growth area. He was busy from day one. He remem- 15 seats, an air ambulance service, and bers patients coming to him injured by farm machinery. One mother flight schools. Started as a grass landing insisted her jailed son keep his appointment with Dr. Lem, even if he strip in 1953, now it handles 150,000 flights a year. Photograph courtesy of had to go there chained to two police officers. Dr Lem continues to Sebastian Ip. contribute to the Town by sitting on boards and maintaining his well- respected business. Bottom Left: Biotech is big business in Markham. Many of the international pharmaceuti- Immigration Breeds Innovation cal giants are represented here along First they cut the trees and planted crops. Then they built homes, roads, with major consultants like PharEng. Photograph by Seokyong Lee villages, railways, and factories. With know-how and determination, the tiny, for Bloomberg via Getty Images. isolated villages of Markham Township became milling and supply centres for the surrounding farms. Markham Village, where horse-drawn carriages Bottom Right: Other major high tech companies were built and many industries were founded, was soon called the “Birming- who’ve set up shop in Markham include ham of Ontario,33 comparing it to the British centre of industrialization. Motorola and IBM. Photograph courtesy of Raysonho, Wikimedia Commons.

{ 18 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 19 } In the economic downturn following the American Civil War, most of the vast forest that greeted the first settlers was cut down for sale, leaving a landscape of farm fields and a few stray woodlands. Timber to supply masts for ocean-bound sailing ships was carried down the Mast Road and then south to Lake Ontario for transport.34

The industries of Markham Township grew slowly. There were creameries, woollen mills, grist mills, coopers, smiths and carpenters. One family made its way into the early pharmaceutical business, selling a homemade balm as a treatment for skin cancer.35 By the second decade of the 20th century, the vast Maple Leaf woollen mills had burned down, Speight Wagons were being

Top Left and Top Centre: replaced by Mr. Ford’s automobiles, and Markham Township devoted itself Youth strut their stuff at Markville Mall mainly to farming.36 at Centre Court to celebrate Youth Week, 2008. Photographs by Jason Tsien. It’s only in the last 40 years that Markham has become a magnet for Top Right: global-businesses such as IBM, Hewlett Packard, Motorola, Philips and At Pacific Mall—the largest Asian- Alcatel-Lucent, all tapping into our highly educated and diverse workforce. themed indoor mall in North America— it’s not just the shopping that attracts Markham has also become home to a thriving development industry, as well the crowds, but the community events. as new Canadian companies researching their way to the leading edge of in- Photograph by Anthony Poon. formation technology and life sciences. Now Markham is “the high-tech capi- 37 Middle Left: tal of Canada.” Five young women—models of Markham’s remarkable diversity— Made in Markham: Alan Kwong’s company, PharmEng Technology at a launch of a new fashion line at the Pacific Mall in 2007. Inc., advises global pharmaceutical giants such as Pfizer, Wyeth, Sanofi Photograph by Blaine Kendall. Pasteur, Schering-Plough, and Canada’s own Apotex from its head office in Markham, which Kwong has called home since 1980. Kwong’s Bottom: A Year of the Tiger face off during Chi- father, who owned a Hong Kong construction business, decided his nese New Year celebrations at the Pacific children would have a better future in Canada. He sent Kwong’s Mall in 2010. Photograph by James Tong. older brother to study engineering at the University of Toronto. After graduating and getting a job in Markham, Kwong’s brother sponsored the family as immigrants. Alan, having attended an English language high school in Hong Kong, had no trouble adjusting to life in Canada; but his parents spoke no English. As so many other immigrant parents have done, Kwong’s parents sacrificed their comfort to help their children.

Kwong got his engineering degree at University of Michigan, followed by an M.Sc. in biomedical engineering from University of Toronto, and lived at home until his marriage in 1987. His career flourished at the Ontario Cancer Institute, Connaught Labs and Glaxo Canada (now GSK). Markham’s Chinese community was small then, as was Markham. “Warden and Steeles was still a cornfield,” he laughs. “Highway 7 was very remote.” Alhough he was a member of a visible minority, he never experienced exclusion. “I think maybe sometimes it happens, but in general in 30 years now I never felt any racism, especially in Markham.” Kwong’s wife and children remained in

{ 20 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 21 } their Markham home as his career advanced and he took jobs in Chicago and New York City, flying home on weekends.

In 1997, Kwong spotted a major business opportunity. He noticed there was no pharmaceutical consulting offered in Canada, a major niche in a rapidly growing market. He left his six-figure executive job in New York to start up his Canadian business, making his own presentations, and pre- paring proposals late into the night at the business centre at Warden and Steeles avenues. His business grew quickly, winning design and consulting contracts as far afield as Taiwan and Kenya. In 2004, PharmEng ac- quired an Ontario pharmaceutical plant from Pfizer, borrowing $20 mil-

lion from an Icelandic bank to fuel expansion, and in 2005 the company Top Left: went public on the TSX Venture Exchange. Then came the banking crisis A multimedia presentation of the of 2008. As Iceland slid toward sovereign financial disaster,38 the bank works of artist Natalie Shonfeld Howard at The Varley Art Gallery in Markham, went into receivership, and PharmEng’s loan was called by its creditors. 2009. This exhibition explored the PharmEng was forced to reorganize. The bank’s creditors got the plant intimate journey of discovery made and the stock exchange listing, but Kwong bought back the consulting when the viewer is deprived of particular senses, like sight or hearing. Photograph business, retaining all 100 employees and all his clients. by Stephanie Lake.

Kwong's revised PharmEng is growing again, expecting revenues of $10 mil- Top Right: Members of the Mayor's Youth Task lion in 2010. Like Markham, PharmEng’s staff has become incredibly diverse. Force learning to lead through inspira- “We are 20 plus nationalities,” Kwong says. “We are from China, Hong tion at Camp Chimo Leadership. Kong, Iran, Serbia, Russia, Denmark… it’s like the United Nations.” Photograph by Jason Tsien.

Bottom Left: The Pacific Mall.The Pacific Mall opened in 1997 on the spot where a Wrapped in the flag on Canada Day community landmark, Cullen Country Barns, had stood for many years. celebrated at Milne Park, Markham, 2009. Photograph by Stephanie Lake. Surrounded by 19th century buildings, Cullen Country Barns was famous for its annual Christmas displays. Now the landmark has been replaced Bottom Right: by the largest indoor Asian mall in North Americ. The mall, developed Lorne Smith and Marlene Mattson at Settler’s Day at the Markham Museum, right on time to serve the new wave of immigrants from Hong Kong, June, 2008. Photograph courtesy of has interior streets named after Hong Kong roads.39 The Pacific Mall was Markham. built by the Torgan Group, developers long active in Markham, several of whom are Israeli immigrants.40 Now, As Then…

The population trends that have made Markham the most diverse municipality in Canada will continue, and will accelerate. A significant segment of our population is aging,41 as is the case across Canada, Europe and Japan.42 Markham will need to attract many more young and talented immigrants to help maintain what has been built, and to help support seniors in the ways they deserve.

Many of our recent immigrants have post-secondary degrees, and a significant number are professionals.43 They would be welcome in many other

{ 22 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 23 } places in the world. Markham is up against a tough global competition to attract and retain the best and brightest. To keep them, we have to succeed in making everyone feel welcome, and at quickly integrating the necessary workforce into our community. But there are many barriers.

Acknowledging Barriers Markham’s new communities face modern versions of old problem political representation, social recognition, and prejudice. In the 19th century, it was the autocratic grip of the Family Compact that held newcomers back. Now, Markham’s barriers are language differences, professional associations that are slow to acknowledge credentials, the so-called lack of “Canadian experience,”44 and buildings or vehicles without proper facilities for seniors or persons with disabilities. These barriers also shield darker emotions that are rarely expressed but can be as powerful and destructive as an elephant in the room: the sad fact is that people often fear others who look different, or wear different clothes. And fear does not inspire welcome.

Top: In the 1960s, descendents of the first Mennonite settlers in Markham expe- Spirit Movers from L’Arche Daybreak performed at the 2010 Many Faces of rienced discrimination because they continued to wear traditional clothes Markham. L’Arche is a residence for while others wore mini-skirts and bell bottoms. Today, it is the new immi- persons with disabilities. Photograph grants arriving at Pearson International Airport whose unfamiliar behaviours by Stephanie Lake. may be feared. Prejudice constantly changes its target, and is as hard to con- Bottom: front as a ghost, yet it can be a barrier as solid as a brick wall. Volunteers at the Markham Museum archaeology lab are cleaning pottery shards found at an excavation on the Museum The latest newcomers to Markham are in some ways different from those who grounds in summer of 2009. It was came before. Canadian immigration rules now favour people with postgrad- discovered that the land was once a site of uate or professional degrees. Many newcomers are better educated than the a Mennonite pottery industry, called Eby Pottery. Photograph by Stephanie Lake. average Canadian. Some arrive with enough money to buy homes and cars; some are able to start new enterprises. But like the pioneers, these newcomers still group with compatriots, often with several generations and families sharing single-family dwellings. This lessens the economic and social bur- dens of immigration, but sometimes challenges Markham’s zoning bylaws.45

And, while diversity is growing in Markham, one form of diversity can be- damaging, both to individuals and to social cohesion: income disparity. Great income disparity can lead to great disparity in public health, including higher incidences of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.46 Studies in the UK have shown that there is a gradient between the good health associated with high incomes and the ill health of the poor and excluded.47

More than 25.4 percent of new Canadian immigrants hold degrees,48 yet are frustrated by professional associations balking at foreign credntials. These new Canadians may be working at a job beneath their talents and achievements,49 or working at a job for less money than their Canadian colleagues.50 Most families counter these problems by sending their teenagers to work part

{ 24 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 25 } time,51 which means many youth are stressed and may not have money to pay fees for swimming lessons, gym, hockey clubs, or extra books for school.

Lifting the Gates Markham can, and will, take the lead in removing barriers. The staff works hard to ensure that there is a welcoming and respectful atmosphere dis- played at the Anthony Roman Centre, and other facilities; according to our surveys, we’ve been succeeding.52 The same is true in Markham’s libraries. But we have to do better at bridging language barriers between government and citizens, and between residents of different backgrounds. Staff need to be able to understand residents in order to help them. Citizens need to understand each other, and the Canadian way of doing public business, in order Top Left: to get on better with their neighbours. Mayor's Youth Task Force members Shanthiya Baheerathan, Vetura Jeyandran, Gauri Goyna, Markham must work harder to recruit seniors, newcomers and visible mi- Photograph by Jason Tsien. norities, youth, and persons with disabilities to serve on boards, agencies and commissions, and to advise on municipal services. The Fire Services Depart- Top Right: Indoor Soccer Program at ment needs to reach out to youth and new communities to explain the rea- Angus Glen Community Centre, sons for Markham’s fire safety rules, and to reassure that everyone is equally Photograph by Stephanie Lake. entitled to services. Bottom: Arnel Scott delivers a speech to the The motto “Leading While Remembering” is part of Markham’s Coat of Arms Alliance of Educators for Black Students, received May 25, 1991.53 Markham has always concerned itself with rising to at Bur Oak SS. Markham in 2008. Photograph courtesy of YRDSB. the challenges of the future while recognizing our responsibilities ourselves and beyond our local community. The stories that follow showcase some of Markham’s citizens who lead while remembering their responsibilities to the past and to the future.

Arnel Scott’s parents emigrated from Jamaica in the 70s. His dad had always wanted to own his own business, and he felt that Canada would provide him with that opportunity. Arnel, the middle child, attended Milliken Mills Public School and Milliken High School, living in a small, close knit community where everybody knew one another.

An exemplary student athlete, Scott was well known in Markham. Not only did he receive a scholarship to Boston College for basketball, he also qualified academically for Columbia University, graduating on the hon- our role from high school. His parents maintained that academics were the key to bettering himself and that even though he excelled in basketball, it would mean nothing if he didn’t have the academics to support it. His perspective on diversity is what has been key to his success, “I didn’t stay just with people who looked like me or who were athletes—I realized I needed to come out of my comfort zone to get the help I needed.” He credits many people, such as his high school principal Jim Orfanakos, for his growth. “Sometimes you need someone outside of your family to tell

{ 26 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 27 }

you it’s okay to be more than people expect you to be.”

Photograph courtesy of Markham Parks and Scott had every intention of playing basketball on a national level and Recreation Department. then going on to law school, when he experienced health issues, which led to his return to Markham. During his recuperation, the desire to re- define himself propelled him to start a business based on what he knew: basketball and education. He remembered seeing many students miss key classes because they would have to leave school at 1pm to get to a game at 4pm. Responding to this problem he created 2wice a Child, a transportation company which allowed student athletes to maximize their time in class and still make that key game. For more than four years,

Top: his company serviced 12 schools and numerous private clients. One of Markham’s Community Gardens located on Maple Street. When asked the question, “Why start this type of business?” he said he Photograph courtesy of Communications Department, Markham. just wanted to make an impact on the community that had made an impact on him:–Markham. Bottom Left:

Lorne Smith at his farm works up the soil in preparation for planting Scott has subsequently added a publishing division to the company. his 2010 garden Photo.graph courtesy 2wice A Child Publishing & Educational Products works with corporate Lorne Smith. and community organizations such as York Regional Police, York Region District School Board, Toronto District School Board and the Stephen Lea- Bottom Right: cock Foundation. Scott now feels that his temporary illness moved him Picking Strawberries at Whittamores in a direction he would never have thought of. He had felt somewhat in 2008. Photograph courtesy of Danielle Woon. trapped by his basketball talent, and had wondered what he could do without basketball as the driving force. Now he, and Markham, knows.

Lorne Smith, the Official Town Historian of Markham, relies on stories and relationships to remember the origins of the Township and to educate people about the history of Markham. He comes equipped with books and photos as if he were a travelling library, and begins his les- son by speaking about the first Town historian, John Lunau. Lunau, a descendant of the Berczy Settlers, was born in Markham in the 1930s, and became the first curator of Markham Museum. After John Lunau’s death in the 1990s, Smith, also of Berczy ancestry, became the next Town historian.

After World War II, Markham remained a farming community. Farmers from the Scarborough/Agincourt area moved north as farms were bought out for urbanization. Smith still lives on a part of his original farm, located in the McCowan and Major Mackenzie area, which has been in his family since 1917. He and his brother were raised knowing where their food came from; they milleked cows twice a day, butchered pigs and took meat and eggs to the St Lawrence Market in Toronto on Sat- urdays. Smith attended the local one-room Colty’s Corners elementary school and Markham High School, and is now a proud grandfather of six

{ 28 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 29 } grandchildren.

Smith was a math teacher before spending 25 years as a civil servant. Now an active senior citizen, Smithcontinues to look after the Town’s five active historic cemeteries when he is not providing a perspective on Markham’s history. He praises Markham’s recreation and library programs for seniors. He also is glad that the Town showcases the physical heritage of Markham; however, he recognizes that Markham has grown quickly, and that integration needs to be a two-way concern.

Smith’s vision for a new Markham community is one that encourag-

es volunteerism from both newcomers and those familiar with life in Top Left: Markham. Smith says, “We need to build community. It is an opportuni- Markham wildlife. Photograph by Ilia ty on all sides to welcome those who look different and integrate people Alshanetsky.

with various languages.” As for his role as Town Historian, Smith says, Centre Left: “I like to tell stories. My name doesn’t have to be seen, society has been Young women planting at the launch of good to me, so I’d like to give back to the Town.” the Trees for Tomorrow program, May, 2008. Photograph by Stephanie Lake.

Danielle Woon’s interest in environmental studies and sustainability began when she started a recycling club in high school. She has Top Right: Canoeing Program at Chimo/Milne Park. organized events for the nation-wide annual litter cleanup, volunteered Photograph courtesy of Markham for Main Street Markham’s pedestrian day, helped with art classes at Recreation Services. the Varley Art Gallery and planted trees for Friends of the Rouge. Her Bottom: passion has led her to a degree in Environmental Studies, which she Kids planting at the launch of the Trees selected because of its multidisciplinary approach to problem solv- for Tomorrow program, May, 2008. ing, combining concepts such as community sustainability, social con- Photograph by Stephanie Lake. science and economics. She will graduate in June, 2010.

Ms. Woon’s grandparents left Hong Kong and immigrated to Jamaica, where her parents were born. Her parents moved to Toronto in the 1970s and, since 1991, the family has lived in Markham. Ms. Woon grew up in the Milliken area, and after attending elementary school at St. Vincent de Paul, was a student in PACE (Program for Academic and Creative Ex- tension) and Brother Andre Catholic High School.

When asked about perceived barriers to sustainability, Ms. Woon an- swers that the biggest barrier to community sustainability is language. “Communication styles and abilities both add and detract from building community at the Town.” She is often reminded of that when she is approached by those who assume she speaks Chinese because of her ap- pearance. Her first suggestion for promoting relationships in Markham is to start small. “Get familiar and involved with your local neighbourhood. That is the area you will feel most connected with. Then broaden your involvement.”

{ 30 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 31 } Ms. Woon feels that Markham is a privileged location, because, “Only ing to Scarborough. In 2000, Matthew Heng left Scarborough for in Markham can you really find such cultural diversity. The majority of Markham because housing was more affordable. When he and his my friends are first-generation Canadians, and many of them speak two wife were looking to start a family, everything fell into place for them languages. They come from all over the world: Europe, Asia, Africa, and in Markham. “The community programs for children are phenom- South America. Despite differences, our backgrounds enrich our interac- enal here,” he says. “Within a 15 minute driv,e my son can go to Cor- tions. These differences do not separate or segregate, as I’ve found that nell Community Centre or Angus Glen and participate.” He says, they can in other communities. In Markham, residents are really able to “Markham’s main attractions are its natural settings which surround shine and find their niche or area of community involvement, even with- where we live, the multiculturalism on our street and the proximity in a 15 km radius. I’ve always been able to find a friendly face anywhere of schools and hospitals.” I go in Markham. This makes the process of joining a group or initiative with people I don't know, much easier.” Heng now works as a Manager of Employment Services, at Link Up, a community resource that supports the employment of persons with One of her favourite areas of Markham is Milne Park, because it provides disabilities. He has spent many years working for agencies, including something for everyone. “In one spot you can have a picnic, fly a kite or the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and Corbrook, sit by the lake.” Ms. Woon sees Milne Park as a place where Markham to reverse misconceptions about the productivity and commitment residents can go to be reminded about their connection to the land. of persons with disabilities. Heng has a personal connection to the needs of this community because of a stroke he experienced as a Ms. Woon feels that the most effective and important ways to positively youth. After rehabilitation, he returned to school to repeat grade 10. influence social change – whether toward more environmentally-sus- Heng realized that life is fragile, and he decided to help people live tainable lifestyles or just socially-beneficial behaviours and practices – is life to the fullest. Heng extends his services to people wanting to re- through increasing awareness and educating members of the public. She gain some sense of control over their daily challenges. His stroke left feels than an individual approach is the most effective way to begin. In a him with some cognitive impairment, including memory loss and variety of ways, Ms. Woon demonstrates the type of youth volunteerism double vision, but for the most part, his disability is invisible to those and advocacy which will undoubtedly strengthen community sustain- around him. ability in Markham. Heng’s suggestions for Markham are similar to those of other resi- Matthew Heng has lived in Markham since 2000; however, his family came dents. He recognizes the need to have services close to where you live to Canada almost by default. Mr. Heng comes from a family that had and work and he is keenly aware of the need for more accessible trans- to make a choice to leave their home for the promise of a safe future. portation, noting the congestion on Highway 7. He also understands His father worked as a United Press photographer in Cambodia, dur- the reality of a growing population of seniors who do not speak Eng- ing the wars between Cambodia and the North Vietnamese and Com- lish. His own mother is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin, and un- munist Khmer Rouge guerrillas in the early 1970s. Heng grew up in derstands English; but when she is outside of her linguistic comfort an unsettling environment of gunfire and bombings. The family left zone, she is usually accompanied by his dad. Has Heng experienced abruptly in 1975, when all correspondents were told to leave Cambo- any incidents of discrimination? He remembers one incident, but he dia because of the Khmer Rouge occupation. considers it a rare, unprovoked occurrence, and chooses not to focus on it. “We have to live together, and people have their good and their Although Heng, his siblings, and his mother left for Vietnam, his father bad days. Diversity is about recognizing each other’s culture, realiz- remained in Cambodia for a few weeks, feeling that is was important ing we can share our unique personalities and views of life. Overall, to document what was happening there. It was the Heng family’s in- Markham has done that and it is a place to build a future.” tention to go to the United States; but their stopover in Toronto, the lifestyle, people and cultural ways of Canadians had a profound im- pression on them. They resolved to immigrate to Canada and find their place in here.

The Heng family first settled in downtown Toronto, eventually mov-

{ 32 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 33 } Focus On Four

About Feelings Markham Council has decided to focus this Diversity Action Plan on four groups: youth, seniors, newcomers and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities. Most of us have a family member who belongs to one of these groups, and who has likely experienced some form of exclusion. This Plan shares statistics to try to capture the realities of these groups, and to help us work out a means of redress, to heal the hurt that exclusion engenders.

Top Left: Newcomers Canada Day, 2009. Photograph by Stephanie Lake. More than half of Markham’s population was born abroad. Of that number, 83.4 percent came from Asia, South Asia or the Middle East (specifically The Top Centre: People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, The Philip- Pat Howell, VP of Markham African Caribbean Association at the pines, and Iran). Many newcomers in Markham strive to put down roots Olympic Torch event on December 17, among neighbours who have similarities, but who may not know much 2009. Photograph courtesy of Communi- about each others’ backgrounds or cultural heritage. cations Department, Markham.

Top Right: Markham needs to address: Civic Centre, Seniors Art Show, 2009 Language barriers: Most newcommers have trouble accessing Photograph by Kathleen Graver. information and services regarding settlement.

Middle Left: Annual Wine Tasting event at the Cultural norms: There are basic misunderstandings about Canadi- Markham Museum, September, 2009. an cultural norms and values, such as the importance to Canadians of Photograph by Stephanie Lake. waiting one’s turn and of saying please and thank you.

Bottom: An innovative playground designed by Communications: Markham’s attempts to communicate about its Town of Markham’s Planning in collabo- services are not getting through to various new communities. ration with Urban Design Department consultants. It opened in 2007 at the east corner of Swan Park Road and Navigation of the system: New immigrants need help in navigating Williamson Road South. Photograph the system, especially when it comes to applying for jobs offered by courtesy of Planning and Urban Design Markham. Our focus groups told us that the newer and smaller commu- Department, Markham. nity organizations, who could help with such things, find it hard to partner with the municipality.

Affordable housing: The lack of affordable housing is a major newcomer issue. About 73 percent of those using housing services are immigrants earning less than $50,000 a year.54 In York Region, Markham has the highest proportion of families spending 30 to 50 percent of their income on housing.55 Recent immigrants to Markham also pay the highest gross rent and the highest amounts in major homeowner payments.56 The bylaw that outlaws basement apartments has increased the pressure on people with low income.

{ 34 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 35 } Visible Minorities About 65 percent of Markham’s residents are “visible minorities,” according to the Government of Canada definition: however, in Markham that is a mis- nomer, since people of colour constitute the majority.57 Members of Visible Minorities born in Canada, may still experience racism in their daily life, and often face similar challenges to those of newcomers, (although they usually possess the benefit of fluency in one of the official languages of Canada, and have some familiarity with Canada’s systems and resources).

In February 2009, Council supported a recommendation, initiated by the Town’s Race Relations Committee, to join UNESCO’s Canadian Council of

Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination. The promise was to de- Top : velop a Plan of Action for the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination, and Warren Rupnarain, Accessibility Coordinator, and Kathleen Graver, to report publicly on the progress of its implementation. In 2010, The Race Senior Communications Advisor, Relations Committee requested a member of Council be appointed to docu- at Angus Glen Community Centre. men the evolution of Markham’s CMARD successes. Photograph by Stephanie Lake.

Bottom Left: Markham needs to address: Avid readers come in all sizes and Policies and Procedures: We need to continue to develop our policies ages and find a warm welcome at the Unionville Public LIbrary. Summer and procedures to recognize racism and support Markham’s commit- Reading Club, 2009. Photograph ment to UNESCO’s Anti-Racism and Discrimination mandate. courtesy of Markham Public Library.

The Employment Cycle: We need to improve the employment flow of Midle Right: Viva the VIVA Bus which is user friendly visible minorities from recruitment, to promotion to separation. with its curb-level entry ramp. Photograph courtesy of Markham Persons With Disabilities Communications Department. In 2001 in York Region, an estimated 12 percent of the total population had Bottom Right: disabilities. That number is estimated to rise to 18 percent by 2026. Markham Village Branch Library is accessible to all. Photograph by David In 2005, the Government of Ontario passed The Accessibility for Ontarians Macklin, Markham Public Library. with Disabilities Act in response to the growing needs of this substantial por- tion of our population. The Act requires municipalities to identify, remove and prevent barriers to access for persons with disabilities. Any municipality with a population larger than 100,000 must consult with persons with disabilities and prepare and publish an annual plan which identifies barriers to access and outlines how they will be removed; must ensure that proposed bylaws, programs, practices and services take accessibility into account; and must list any existing bylaws and programs, etc. that are to be reviewed in the following year.

There are five standards set out by the Act. The first, called the Accessible Customer Service Standard, came into effect in 2010. The next four include: transportation, information and communication, built environment, and employment. These will come into play in later years. Failure to meet accessibility standards will result in a heavy fine levied on the municipality.

{ 36 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 37 } We have made progress on our Service Standard. Our focus group participants commended Markham Public Library for providing large print and talk- ing books and were pleased by the Town’s willingness to partner with organizations to provide day camps for children with disabilities. But the majority of Council’s Accessibility Committee agree that persons with disabilities still face more barriers to accessing Town opportunities because of their disability than because of their ethnicity or personal presentation. The committee also felt that persons with disabilities are more likely to experience these barriers if they are also elderly and/or speak little English.

Our staff, by and large, agreed with this assessment. Some 60 percent of staff disagreed with the statement that persons with disabilities “currently experi- Top Left: ence the feeling and reality of belonging when interacting with the Town.” Pipers lead the way at the naming Markham must do better. ceremony for McLaren Trail in Simonstem Park, October, 2009. Photograph by Stephanie Lake. Markham needs to address: Transportation: While it is York Region that supplies a mobility bus for Top Right: the use of Markham residents, Markham staff need to work with the Re- Artist members of the Thornhill Seniors Centre work with instructor gion to: reorganize pick up routes to better coordinate with scheduled Bonnie Steinberg. Photograph courtesy programs; address the transportation needs of caregivers; eliminate long of Markham. waits for rides after medical appointments; and address a lack of transportation for non-medical trips. Middle Left: At Applefest 2009, two Cider Mill volunteers hand out fresh pressed cider Communication and signage: While we have made significant strides and apple butter made from apples in the use of international signage, chirping traffic lights, and the wide- grown in the heritage apple orchard at spread use of Braille and other touch sensitive signage in public places, Markham Museum. The orchard has 20 varieties of organically cultivated there is still room to improve. apple trees. The Cider Mill volunteers meet daily at T and T Bakery on Main Lack of training: Our focus groups suggested that Markham staff Street in Markham. Photograph by would benefit from more training in the following: interacting with Stephanie Lake. persons with disabilities; knowing where an when to call for help; and Bottom Left: recognizing and responding to unfamiliar behaviours. In 2009, the Town Seniors greet the morning with T’ai Chi facilitated six accessible customer-service training sessions in April, May at Millennium Park, across the street and September, and offered on-line training for those unable to attend from Markham Civic Centre. Photograph courtesy of the Planning and classroom training. Urban Design Department, Markham. Employment: While Markham has won awards for its hiring practices of Bottom Right: to newcomers and persons with disabilities, through their partnership President Marg Jones with Princess Hutchinson at the Thornhill Seniors with Career Edge and Ability Edge, specialized help is needed for new Club, February, 2010. Photograph by immigrants with disabilities who are seeking employment. Susan Watts. Housing: Markham has begun to attend to the problem of affordable housing. Currently, many persons with disabilities and limited incomes live in illegal basement apartments, and are subject to eviction if Fire Services attends an emergency.

{ 38 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 39 } Seniors Seniors constitute about 11 percent of Markham’s population, but this will grow quickly as the first of the Baby Boom population reaches age 65. The majority of Markham’s population is in the 40-64 age group, so in 15 years, the senior’ population may top 20 percent.58 There are four major issues for seniors: location of seniors versus location of services; the link between age and disability; the increasing senior population growth, and the creation of a more senior-friendly Markham so that seniors can age in place.

About one-third of Markham’s immigrant seniors do not speak English at home; the largest group speaks Cantonese. Not speaking either of the official languages easily isolates seniors, especially those who may also struggle with physical disabilities. Seniors who are unable to get easy access to transportation for programs, for volunteer activities, or to attend Markham’s social amenities, may fall into depression.

Markham offers seniors’ programs at libraries, community centres, and the Markham and Thornhill Seniors Activity Centres. The Markham Public Li- brary offers English as a Second Language (ESL) programs along with delivery of books in its Homebound service. It has large-print collections, audio books and helpful technology for the hearing and visually impaired. It has book collections in 13 languages.

Markham needs to address: The Familiarity Factor: Our focus groups told us that: new immigrant To p : Women and their children at Friday seniors are more likely to attend programs if there is a dedicated staff prayer service in the sisters’ room of the member from their ethnocultural community, who looks as they do and Islamic Society of Markham, 2007. can speak the same language.59 Tamil seniors are less likely to attend Photograph by Tara Walton, reproduced programs where no one speaks their language. Materials also need to be courtesy of the Toronto Star. translated into different languages. Bottom: At a Community Days event at the Transportation: Our focus groups told us that seniors are more likely to Markham Museum, a volunteer from the attend programs if transportation is provided. Many newcomer seniors Chinese Association of Greater Toronto may be apprehensive about trying to use public transit on their own. demonstrates traditional brush painting. Photograph courtesy of Markham.

Subsidies with Dignity: The existence of subsidy programs and how to apply for them needs to be better explained, and care needs to be taken to provide subsidies in a manner which supports seniors’ dignity.

Explaining Canada’s volunteer styles and systems: It is well known that volunteerism reduces social isolation. But newcomer seniors often do not know about volunteer opportunities, or are unfamiliar with Canadian-style volunteerism. There are ways Markham can reach out to seniors, especially newcomers, such as partnering with ethnocultural community groups to deliver programs. But these sorts of solutions— which serve the need for familiarity in food, customs, style of dress and friendly faces—create new issues. Staff and many academics believe that if programs are organized primarily for specific ethnocultural groups,

{ 40 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 41 } they will not achieve the intended goal: a virtuous circle of inclusion and welcome.

Youth Between 2001 and 2006, York Region’s population under age 14 grew faster than the rest of Ontario’s. The second largest age group in Markham is that of youth aged 5-24.

A survey completed by members of the Mayor’s Youth Task Force told us that youth face barriers to Markham’s services, to jobs and to other opportunities. The Task Force members believe that immigrant status and language are the biggest barriers, followed by race and disabilities. Though Markham employs Top: 600 youth each year in Recreation, and more in Parks, other focus groups also On the courts at Drop-In Basketball, told us that many youth in Markham feel excluded from our work, service Centennial Community Centre. Photograph courtesy of Markham and volunteer environments. Recreation Services. However, Markham has also been recognized as a Gold Youth Friendly Middle Right: Community Builder. The award recognizes the Town of Markham for its The Lifesaving Club of Markham at the Milliken Mills Community Centre, support of youth and the outstanding achievements of large number of featuring, from left to right: Oliver Koh, youth service providers in our community including: Pathways of York Adrian Wong and Michael Nunes. Region, Markham YMCA, Power Unit, Scout groups, sport groups, church- Photograph courtesy of Markham es, York Region District School Board, York Catholic District School Recreation Services. Board and the wide variety of youth councils (Mayor’s Youth Task Force, Bottom Left: Markham Teen Arts Council, SSN - LOTT, Markham Library). PLAYWORKS Football, a.k.a. soccer, is played for keeps Youth Friendly Community Award is a provincial accreditation that at the opening of the Lion’s Club exhibit recognizes communities that make an investment in youth play. PLAYWORKS at Markham Museum’s Community acknowledges the great work that Markham is doing to ensure that youth Days, June, 2009. The Lion’s Club has supported the Markham Museum from its (ages 13-19) have continuous access to a diverse range of play. inception. Photograph by Stephanie Lake. Markham needs to address: Bottom Right: Money: Aquatic staff Stephanie Dornan One of the key problems noted by all groups is that youth lack and Catherine Wylde at Thornhill money. It is hard for youth to pay fees for the public programs Markham Therapeutic Pool. Photograph courtesy offers. Similarly, public transportation to and from programs is expen- of Markham Recreation Services. sive or not available.

Location of services: Our focus groups told us that in the south-east area of Markham, where there is a high concentration of newcomers with large families, there are too few community centres and only one well-used library to serve as social hubs for youth. Demand is so high for scarce resources that it is hard to get space for youth programs run by ethnocultural organizations even though youth programs are given top priority. There just isn’t enough open park space for youth to congregate.

Means of communication: Focus groups feel that Markham needs to use new means to communicate with youth, such as tapping into social networks and making information available in other languages.

{ 42 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 43 } What We Offer

Parks and Recreation, Culture and Libraries Diversity, growth, and sustainability are key issues in every service Markham provides. We have achieved a great deal already in the encouragement of inclusion. But our budgets are limited, and needs are growing, so we must be flexible in the way we use what we have, as well as in the kinds of new programs we create.

The Integrated Leisure Master Plan approved in 2010 states it is to ensure

Top: that Markham’s Parks, Recreation, Cultural and Library services provide in- The Varley Art Gallery takes its offerings clusive, accessible, safe, enjoyable and sustainable leisure, learning, sport outside the gallery as well as inviting and cultural opportunities essential to vibrant places. everyone in. Photograph courtesy of Town of Markham. Parks and Recreation are vital to sustainable individual and community Middle Left : health. Markhams parks currently reflect the community we once were, rath- On the ice at the Markham Museum er than the community we have become, and the community we will be in Family Day, 2010. Photograph by the future. Demographic and cultural changes have a big impact on the kinds Stephanie Lake. of games and entertainments people choose, the kinds of parks they want to Bottom Left: be in, and where they want those parks to be. There is higher demand now for Learn to Swim lessons at the Milliken soccer and cricket, and neighbourhood parks are much more important Mills Pool. Photograph courtesy Town to people’s social lives than ever before. Parks have become community of Markham. gathering places, especially in those parts of Markham where green space Bottom Right: is hard to find. In the future, we know it is our community partnerships that Music for the Seniors Art Show held in will help us fill the gaps in service arising from growth, so Markham must en- June, 2009 was provided by the MOTM courage engagement and participation, especially of youth. And we do. (Milliken On the Move) Music Ensemble Group. Photograph courtesy Kathleen Graver Town of Markham. We have five youth councils that contribute advice in local neighbourhoods. The Mayor’s Youth Task Force, specifically, presents youth issues to Markham’s Council. Markham continues to build extensive partnerships among community groups and school boards. In addition, Markham has a Race Relations Committee, an Accessibility Committee and a new Seniors’ Committee to allow residents to share their concerns, ideas and perspectives as the community works together for solutions and occasions for celebration..

Persons with disabilities provided with access to all Markham parks and recreational facilities. Markham will be retrofitting community centres and recreation facilities with energy and accessibility upgrades, with the help of the Recreation Infrastructure Canada Program (RinC). Barrier-free designs will be used at all newly constructed and renovated community facilities. These include lowered front counters to allow easier communications and access for persons with disabilities.

Culture creates a sense of place, of belonging. Markham’s ethnocultural diversity provides a rich foundation for Markham’s cultural future, which will

{ 44 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 45 } ’

extend far beyond the walls of the Markham Museum, the Varley Gallery and Seniors have a dedicated Library web page with up-to-date information the Markham Theatre. That’s why Council created a Culture Department in about collections, services and programs, as well as large print material and 2009 and recently approved a process to create a Cultural Policy and Plan, audio-books. Markham Public Library celebrates Seniors Month in June with including broad engagement with the community. We intend to bring cul- a variety of programs including an Open House. Markham Public Library of- tural institutions to the community, as well as invite the community into fers homebound service to all residents who are unable to leave their home. Markham’s cultural institutions. Library staff select material based on the customer’s reading preferences and it is delivered directly to the customer’s home. Material borrowed through the Libraries are uniquely able to foster social inclusion because they have a homebound service has an extended loan period of six weeks. Upon request, tradition of making their programs, collections and services meet the needs Markham Public Library sets up deposit collections at various community or of local residents. Most libraries design their services to attract audiences by non-profit seniors organizations. The material is loaned out to the organiza- age (seniors, adults, teens and children). Libraries help build early literacy, tion for an extended period of time. All of this allows the Library to be wher- school and reading readiness, strengthen family literacy and lifelong learn- ever seniors are. ing, and can help newcomers access the information and tools that they need to succeed. Youth have been working with the Library staff through the Immigrant Youth Centre in Markham. The Library maintains a dedicated youth web In early 2009, Markham Public Library underwent a reorganization. A page, allowing Markham Public Library to promote teen programs and vol- new service model was implemented whereby branch managers took on unteer opportunities as well as offer links on topics such as books and litera- the role of chairperson for service committees. These service committees ture, fitness, health and well-being, career development, employment and are broken down into five areas, which overlap with this Diversity Action social activism. Markham Public Library has library spaces devoted entirely Plan: Seniors’ services, inclusive services, teen services, adult services and to teens/youth. The first dedicated teen space was unveiled at Angus Glen children’s services. Library in 2004, followed by a second space at Markham Village Library in 2007. This concept will be incorporated in future projects such as East Adaptive technology for the hearing and visually impaired is already offered Markham Library and the renovations at Milliken Mills Library. The at two out of six branches. Markham Village Library and Thornhill Commu- dedicated spaces provide teens with a comfortable destination where nity Library have Kurzweil 3000 units, which are technological tools to sup- they can gather to study, socialize, and lounge. These spaes include Wii port reading for people with learning difficulties and the blind and visually consoles, wide screen TVs and a number of Public Access Terminals impaired. We hope to add another unit at the Milliken Mills Branch. We have dedicated for teen use. Teen services librarian positions have been been incorporating accessibility improvements required under the Municipal introduced at Angus Glen, Markham Village and Milliken Mills branches: Guidelines for Accessibility in all library building programs including: a librarian is devoted to supporting and promoting prgrams, services and • curb cuts; collections for teens/youth. Where there is no teen librarian, a librarian with- • ramps; in the branch is designated to be the teen representative for the branch. • well-marked wheelchair access routes, and fully accessible barrier-free entrances; Newcomers need gateways to their new community’s resources. In 2009, the • automated entrance doors; full washroom accessibility Markham Public Library launched the Library Settlement Program, a new- for persons with disabilities and the wheelchair-bound; comer referral service in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Can- • shelving that enables people to reach the top or bottom shelves; ada and other settlement agencies, providing access to services, programs • wide barrier-free pathways through the Library and between and information for newcomers. The Library also received a $40,000 grant shelving stacks; to improve English as a Second Language collections across the system. • ample turn areas at stack-ends for wheelchair and Markham offers events to celebrate diversity including: Chinese New Year, motorized scooter access; Black History Month, Asian Heritage Month, Holocaust Education Week, • elevators between levels, with tactile signage sensitive Islamic History Month, Canada Day and the International Day for the Elimi- to wheelchair users as well as people with visual impairments; nation of Racial Discrimination. We also offer ESL classes through a partner- • railings on steps; ship with York Region District School Board. Our collections, in various lan- • floor surfaces that allow easy movement for persons guages and formats, reflect the cultural diversity of the community. with disabilities and impairments; • a seating-level-height section at all service points; • and wheelchair-accessible workstations and study tables.

{ 46 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 47 }

Where We Live

Top Left: What we offer and where we offer it often does not coincide with where Children play in a park in Cornell, a new- our greatest needs are found. urbanist community in east Markham. Photography courtesy of Planning and The only way disparities and gaps in service can be rectified is if they are Urban Design Department, Markham. acknowledged and then used to provide a framework for action and plan- Top Right: ning. Mapping of existing services and needs clearly illustrates the issues. Photograph courtesy of the Remington Group. As the Geography Information System (GIS) map on page 51 attests,

Middle Left: Markham is both buoyed and troubled by its rapid growth and changing This heritage home is on Colborne demographics. An early wave of immigrants from abroad, and Torontonians Street in the Thornhill Heritage looking for wide open spaces, settled in communities such as Thornhill in Conservation District. the south west quadrant of Markham. This population is relatively wealthy, Photograph courtesy of Adam Birrell. largely Canadian born, and predominantly of the Baby Boom generation. Middle Right: There is a second group of the more frail elderly, living primarily in the Unionville South Park, a new develop- southwest quadrant of Markham, who require more personal support ment. Photograph by Stephanie Lake. services, more access to transportation for medical appointments, help

Bottom Left: with snow removal, and other community programs. High rises in the heart of Markham, at Town Centre Boulevard and Clegg Immigrants who speak Chinese languages as their mother tongue also Road, built by Liberty Development. reside in affluent districts of Northern Markham.60 Recent newcomers to Photograph courtesy of Planning and

Urban Design Department, Markham. Canada tend to live in multi-generational and multi-family groups within single family homes in southeast Markham. In this area, parents have a high Bottom Right: level of education and high aspirations, but family incomes are relatively low. A new townhouse development in In this district, Markham has not caught up with a whole range of burgeon- Markham Centre, where density is higher, built by Tridel and Dorsay. ing needs, including services in the relevant languages, sufficient parks, cul- Photograph courtesy of Planning and tural facilities, skating rinks, libraries, community centres, swimming pools, Urban Design Department, Markham. cricket pitches and soccer fields. There is a general belief, supported by the evidence illustrated on the GIS maps, that more services are needed in many parts of the community south of Highway 7.

{ 48 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 49 } Statistics Canada

Population Density by Dissemination Area 19TH AVE

Community Centres Arena [Ice Rink] Angus Glen I I I Pool Fitness Room Armadale I Gymnasium BoxGrove

M C C O WA N R D 9 T H L I N E H W Y 4 8 R E E S O R R D WA R D E N AV E K E N N E DY R D Cedar Grove Ball Diamond WOODBINE AVE Centennial I I I I Basketball Cricket Pitch ELGIN MILLS RD E Crosby Memorial I Victoria Water Play Square Markham Village I Skateboard Park Community Centre Milliken Mills I I Soccer Field Mount Joy II Rugby Tennis Court Rouge River I R.J. Clatworthy I Angus Community Glen Centre Library Thornhill I I I I YORK DURHAM LINE MAJOR MACKENZIE DR E Victoria Square Library Fire Angus Glen Station Community Fire Station 93 Centre

Persons per Kilometre Square

Lowest Fire Station D O N A L D C O U S E N S P K Y 98 Mount Joy Community Centre Markham 16TH AVE Museum

Fire Station Crosby 95 Fire The Varley Station Highest Memorial Art Gallery Community 97 01234 Centre Markham Km Seniors

H W Y 4 0 4 Unionville Centre Community Adapted from: Statistics Canada, Population and Dwelling Count The Markham Library Centennial Garden Highlight Tables, 2006 Census, 97-550-XWE2006002, 13 March 2007. Theatre Community Centre Markham Fire Community HWY 7 E k Station Library 99 (2012) Civic Centre Welcome Markham Centre Village Markham Community L E S S L I E S T YMCA Centre HWY407 Rudy Bratty Centre Rouge River Community Centre Fire Milliken Y O N G E S T Fire Station 92 Mills Fire Thornhill Station Library Village Thornhill Station 91 Milliken 96 Community Library Community Garden Library Mills Community Cedar Grove Fire M A R K H A M R D Thornhill Centre Community Thornhill Seniors Centre Station Community 94 Box Grove Centre Community Centre Armadale DON MILLS RD Centre 1 1 T H C O N C Community Centre Welcome Centre

BAYVIEW AVE STEELES AVE E

{ 50 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 51 } Moving Forward

Top Left: The glory of recent Canadian political history lies in how we have extended Thornhill Village Library has all the the hand of welcome to the world and have tried to repair historical dam- quaintness of 19th century Markham, but age done to disadvantaged minorities. As a nation, we embrace diversity. We its services set a 21st century standard. rejoice as previously excluded groups are invited to participate and to create Photography by Kathleen Graver. opportunities for others. Our experience teaches us that, in order to make Top Right: this process work, political leaders must show the way and write the pro- Asian Heritage Month 2009 celebrations gram. Then government officials must carry it out, and citizens must hold at Angus Glen Library. All of Markham’s governments accountable. libraries are accessible, with programs for everyone, especially for youth. Books are available in all of Markham’s major The Mayor and Council of Markham have taken the lead in setting out this languages. Photograph courtesy Diversity Action Plan. Markham’s staff have invested much time and thought of Markham Library. in its creation. At staff focus groups, as at our community meetings, concerns

Middle Centre Right: were honestly expressed. Here are a few: Youth perform at Markville Mall at Centre Court to celebrate Youth Week, 2008.  Fire Services staff worry that newcomers are reluctant to call for help. Photograph by Jason Tsien. They have been offered money by some because that’s how things are

Middle Centre Left: done in other places. They worry about being seen as culturally insensi- Photograph by Stephanie Lake. tive because they are required by law to respond to fire calls wearing full gear including boots, — even at religious institutions where, footwear is Bottom Right: to be removed before entering. Fire staff also worry that people may not At the Markham Fair, Captain Dave Creighton, firefighter, demonstrates call them in an emergency if they are living in illegal apartments. They how Markham Fire Services saves lives also believe they are not getting recruits from newcomer communities every day throughout the community. because their work is not valued, yet they don’t have the budget for out- Photograph by Roy Norgrove. reach to educate the community about the vital work they do.

Bottm Left:  Recreation staff are on the front lines trying to help everybody, but are Families enjoy a stroller friendly path finding it tough to cope with the mismatch between location of needs on The Annual Picnic and Fun Fair Day and location of facilities. at the Benjamin Marr Park, Cornell.  Library staff are thrilled at the high level of newcomers’ interest in what Photograph by Stephanie Lake. they have to offer, but are almost overwhelmed by the huge number of new library users and the demand for services.

All the departments of Markham’s government have contributed to the recommendations for action listed below. For each, recommendation we have named the lead department responsible for delivering the service, as a guide to accountability.

{ 52 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 53 } Recommendations To better serve everybody, we will:

Lead Departments RECOMMENDATIONS TIMING Lead Departments RECOMMENDATIONS TIMING

ECONOMIC 01 Develop a broad Kindergarten– grade 12 outreach program 2015-2019 HUMAN RESOURCES 11 Develop a formal diversity and inclusion vision statement 2010-2014 DEVELOPMENT to help local youth better understand and prepare for produc- and policy, and incorporate them into all job postings. Monitor tive work in a rapidly changing world. employee awareness of diversity policies through impromptu surveys. ECONOMIC 02 Work with local post-secondary institutions to identify spe- 2010-2019+ DEVELOPMENT cific opportunities for building and nurturing our talent pool HUMAN RESOURCES 12 Incorporate diversity competence into the performance 2010-2019+ (including seminars, career days, a course in entrepreneur- management process commencing with management; devel- ship and videos of successful new entrepreneurs). op diversity competence training, create a leadership and supervisory checklist for hiring, and publish an annual diversity - ECONOMIC 03 Leverage the multicultural and multilingual character of 2010-2019+ report along with an employee demographic survey. DEVELOPMENT Markham’s population to attract international partners and new opportunities for economic development. RECREATION 13 Develop a corporation-wide public engagement strategy, 2010-2019+ HUMAN RESOURCES focussing on newcomers and visible minorities, seniors, youth DEVELOP MENT 04 Provide for a diversified housing stock to serve the growing 2019+ and persons with disabilities to increase outreach/participa- SERVICES population, including intensification at appropriate locations. tion.

DEVELOPMENT 05 Support the further application of sustainable community 2019+ RECREATION 14 Develop a pricing strategy that will include a balance of no- 2010-2014 SERVICES design, transit investment and infrastructure improvement. cost/low-cost programs and services that are accessible to all Provide a mix of housing and jobs supportive of improved life residents. and work options in Markham. ASSET MANAGEMENT 15 Ensure frequently used Markham facilities meet provincial 2010-2019 SUSTAINABILITY 06 Partner with York food network to design a culture and food 2010-2019 accessibility requirements. guide to support community in finding culturally appropriate food. HUMAN RESOURCES, 16 Improve the availability of Markham staff that can offer help 2010-2014 COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS in key newcomer languages; increase the means to communi- SUSTAINABILITY 07 Develop introductory civic courses for citizens unfamil- 2010-2019+ cate with the hearing impaired; enhance and promote the use iar with municipal processes, and research the potential of of Markham’s existing multi-language Line. a youth-shadow council to promote interest in Markham’s council to our future leaders. ACCESSIBILI TY 17 Develop a corporate policy to make Markham information 2010-2014 OFFICE AND HUMAN RESOURCES and applications available in multiple formats. CONTACT CENTRE 08 Identify and incorporate the needs of newcomers and visible 2010-2014 minorities, seniors, youth and persons with disabilities into HUMAN RESOURCES 18 Ensure Markham continues to be a role model of inclusive 2010-2014 Markham’s corporate customer-service strategy. employment practices.

COMMUNICATION AND 09 Develop clear language guidelines for all forms of Markham’s 2015-2019 HUMAN RESOURCES 19 Develop a diversity resource on Markham’s staff intranet, 2010-2014 COMMUNITY RELATIONS communications including, but not limited to, the Town’s providing tools for easy access to information. website, program publicity, and public policies. CULTURE 20 Develop strategic plans for Markham Museum, Theatre and 2010-2014 HUMAN RESOURCES 10 Develop a Markham strategy for advertising employment 2010-2019 The Varley Art Gallery, and present plans to newcomers and opportunities to newcomers, visible minorities, seniors, youth, visible minorities, seniors, youth and persons with disabilities and persons with disabilities. for comment.

{ 54 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 55 } Lead Departments RECOMMENDATIONS TIMING Lead Departments RECOMMENDATIONS TIMING

CULTURE 21 Establish a stronger presence for Markham Theatre, 2010-2014 RECREATION 32 Track awareness of available youth recreational opportuni- 2010-2019 Markham Museum and The Varley Art Gallery by taking ties and satisfaction ratings on an annual basis. offerings from these cultural centres to the community, and contributing programming to major festivals and events. LIBRARY 33 Develop learning-place programs for teens and augment 2010-2014 learning-place programs for children focussing on literacy CULTURE 22 Enhance the use of social networks to gain feedback about 2010-2014 and life skills. cultural offerings. RECREATION 34 Promote Markham’s Language Line to newly arrived 2010-2014 CULTURE, 23 Obtain more current data on neighbourhood changes 2010-2014 youth. RECREATION, LIBRARY through collaborating with school boards and other community partners. RECREATION 35 Build youth leadership opportunities in existing workshops 2010-2014 and volunteer programs by increasing the number of schools To better serve Seniors active in our Healthy School Initiative. We will: RECREATION 36 Enhance Markham’s annual Youth Week celebration by de- 2010-2014 RECREATION 24 Partner with groups that provide specialized programming 2010-2014 veloping new events and programs in partnership with exist- for seniors; develop a communications strategy specifically ing youth councils and newcomers’ cultural groups. designed for seniors; engage seniors in planning our program delivery methods. COMMUNICATION AND 37 Create a youth communications strategy incorporating the 2010-2014 COMMUNITY RELATIONS use of Social Media. COMMUNITY SERVICES, 25 Develop a well-researched understanding of how to find and 2010-2014 FIRE SERVI CES, RECREATION engage isolated individuals in the community. RECREATION 38 Increase the number of programs and workshops held in 2010-2014 neighbourhood schools to decrease the need for youth to pay RECREATION 26 Encourage targeted outreach in neighbourhoods where se- 2010-2014 for transportation to get to programs. niors’ programs are already located. RECREATION 39 Provide free youth leadership training for low-income youth, 2010-2014 RECREATION 27 Seek out volunteers who speak the languages of newcomer 2010-2014 reducing barriers while increasing employment opportuni- communities and ask them to assist in delivering programs to ties. newcomer seniors. LIBRARY 40 Introduce specialized librarian positions which focus on 2010-2019+ RECREATION 28 Inform seniors about subsidies they are entitled to by bring- 2010-2014 teen programs at all library branches and create new dedicat- ing forms or applications to them instead of aassuming that ed teen spaces as the branches are renovated/expanded. seniors can figure it out on their own. LIBRARY 41 Launch a parent-child workshop to help teen parents devel- 2010-2014 RECREATION 29 Promote programs that allow seniors to stay in the commu- 2010-2014 op early learning literacy skills at home. nity. LIBRARY 42 Seek out partnerships with organizations that serve at-risk 2010-2014 To better serve Youth teens, such as York Region Health Services, to connect with We will: teen parents and promote early literacy through story times, outreach and other programs. RECREATION 30 Develop new events and programs that suit all youth in the 2010-2019 community by partnering with existing youth councils and ALL DEPARTMENTS 43 Enhance opportunities to engage youth at events to which 2010-2019+ cultural youth groups. Markham is already committed.

COMMUNITY 31 Pilot a project in underserved southeast Markham using 2010-2019 SERVICES, FIRE SERVICES integrated service delivery and community engagement concepts to help create customized youth programs.

{ 56 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 57 } Lead Departments RECOMMENDATIONS TIMING Lead Departments RECOMMENDATIONS TIMING

d EVELOP MENT 44 Provide for a diversified housing stock to serve the grow- 2019+ To better serve Visible Minorities SERVICES ing population, including intensification at appropriate loca- We will: tions. ALL DEPARTMENTS RECREATION 45 Ensure that all community centres have dedicated spaces 2010-2019 55 Ensure Markham continues to be a role model of inclusive 2010-2019+ - for youth’s exclusive use. employment practices.

To better serve Newcomers HUMAN RESOURCES 56 Establish an anti-racism statement within our anti-harass- 2010-2014 We will: ment policies and procedures.

RECREATION 46 Continue to provide diverse recreational opportunities ap- 2010-2014 HUMAN RESOURCES 57 Evaluate and report on (as a member of the Coalition of Mu- 2010-2019

propriate to the interests of new Markham residents. nicipalities Against Racism) activities already being under- taken by Markham that correspond to one or more of the ten COMMUNICATION and 47 Develop new strategies to lift language barriers that prevent 2010-2014 commitments. COMMUNITY RELATIONS newcomers from participation by offering recreation, culture and library information in multiple languages. HUMAN RESOURCES 58 Create a leadership and supervisory checklist for bias-free 2010-2014 recruitment and selection. COMMUNICATION and 48 Increase translation services offered in local community 2010-2014 COMMUNITY RELATIONS, RECREATION centres. HUMAN RESOURCES 59 Publish an annual diversity report that includes an 2010-2014 employee demographic survey. LIBRARY 49 Support the settlement services of not-for-profit and government agencies; develop additional services for newcom- To better serve Persons With Disabilities ers while improving the profile of our existing programs and We will: services. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 60 Ensure that the design of all improvements to Markham 2010-2019+ DEVELOPMENT 50 Advocate for a better mix of housing to achieve better in- 2010-2019+ buildings and parks address the needs of persons with dis- SERVICES come-to-housing cost ratio and enable newcomers to live and abilities. work in Markham. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 61 Continue to advocate for the development of more assisted 2010-2019+ RECREATION, 51 Build sustainable partnerships with emerging cultural 2010-2014 housing. LIBRARY groups to help meet the needs of newcomers; expand the number of local clubs and groups helping to plan and deliver LIBRARY, CORPORATE 62 Assess all our programs, services and delivery methods with 2010-2014 COMMUNICATION, programs; publicize the start-up funding we offer to help cre- COMMUNITY the help of the Accessibility Committee. RELATIONS ate innovative, neighbourhood-based programs. corporate COMMUNICA- 63 Design and establish accessibility features on the website. 2010-2014 TION, COMMUNITY RECREATION, 52 Provide cultural sensitivity training to full-time and part- 2010-2014 RELATIONS HUMAN RESOURCES time recreation, library and culture staff, building a greater ca- LIBRARY 64 Acquire funding to buy additional Kurzweil units for all li- 2010-2019+ pacity to respond to newcomers’ needs in Markham facilities. brary locations.

CULTURE 53 Tell the stories of Markham’s history, from pioneer settle- 2010-2014 ACCESSIBILITY OFFICE, 66 Increase staff awareness and training regarding the prov- 2010-2019+ HUMAN RESOURCES ments to contemporary times, at the Markham Museum so ince’s new Service Standard. that all our communities’ stories are included. HUMAN RESOURCES 67 Create more partnerships with community-service provid- 2010-2014 RECREATION, LIBRARY 54 Expand literacy programming in languages other than Eng- 2010-2014 ers offering specialized services to persons with disabilities. lish through partnerships with community organizations. ACCESSIBILITY 68 Explore the possibility of developing Accessible Interactive 2010-2014 OFFICE, HUMAN RESOURCES Maps.

{ 58 } Markham Diversity Action Plan Markham Diversity Action Plan { 59 } Youth dance at Milne park on Canada Day, 2008. Photograph by Stephanie Lake.

Taken together, we think our proposals are like pathways that point toward the inclusive Markham of the future.

{ 60 } MarkhamTown of Markham Diversity Diversity Action Plan Action Plan Endnotes Canada. Ottawa. 2006. http://www.statcan. 19 http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/jarvisci/toronto/ 32 Hallowell, Gerald. Eds. The Oxford Compan- 46 as quoted in Toronto Vital Signs 2009, 57 2006 Community Profile, Markham Census gc.ca/pub/89-628-x/2007002/t/4125013- tor_buy.htm ion to Canadian History. Oxford University Toronto Community Foundation, pg. 31. Subdivision. Statistics Canada. – a simple 1 “Building Markham’s Future Together,” eng.htmb http://www.newcreditfirstnation.com/index. Press, Toronto. 2004. pgs. 128-129. Please check this with underlying source: calculation of the raw data provides the in Inaugural Address, December 5, 2006, php?option=com_content&view=article&id City of Toronto, Toronto Public Health (2009) formation: total Markham population= Mayor Frank Scarpitti 9 “Common Commitments.” Coalition of =19&Itemid=28 33 Markham 1793-1900, pg. 259. Also The Unequal City, p.19 http://www.toronto. 261,575; total population aged 40-46=95,685 Municipalities Against Racism and “Birmingham” Wikipedia, history section ca/health/map/pdf/unequalcity 20081016 therefore the percentage is 36.58 2 “Markham Community Profiles.” Statistics Disabilities CMARD. http://www.cmard.ca/ 20 Hallowell, Gerald. Eds. The Oxford Compan- regarding political reform movement of 1830. pdf. Canada. Ottawa. http://www12.statcan.ca/ index.php?option=com_content&view= ion to Canadian History. Oxford University 34 Champion, Isabel. Eds. Markham 58 Inferred from data census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92- article&id=8&Itemid=13&lang=en . Press, Toronto. 2004. pgs. 151-152. 1793-1900. 2nd Ed. Markham District 47 Ibid, WHO 2003, pg. 10 Embracing our Future, pg. 30 591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD Historical Society, 1989. pg. 86. &Code1=3519036&Geo2=PR&Code2=35& 10 The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabili- 21 Niagara-On-The-Lake Chamber of Com- 48 Embracing Our Future, pg. 35. The better 59 http://www.markham.ca/ Data=Count&SearchText=markham&Search ties Act (AODA) 2005 sets out rules regarding merce. About Niagara-On-The-Lake. 35 An Injustice.” From The Economist and Sun, figure is 25.4% of Canadian immigrants Markham/Departments/EDO/Stats.htm Type=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=Immigrati equal access for persons with disabilities by Retrieved from: http://www.niagara Oct. 31, 1889. hold degrees. on%20and%20citizenship&Custom= 2028. Businesses and organizations includ- onthelake.com/aboutnotl/jpage/1/p/ 60 http://.markham.ca/Markham/ ing municipalities must meet new standards About/content.do 36 Champion, Mary B. (Ed.). Markham 49 Statistics Canada. Canadian Immigrant Departments/EDO/ www Stats.htm 3 “Markham Community Profiles: Visible in five areas: customer service; transporta- Remembered (1988). The Land Provides. Labour Market: Analysis by Region of Highest Minorities.” Statistics Canada. Ottawa. tion; information and communications; 22 Stamp, Robert M. Early Days in Richmond Post Secondary Education. Published: 2008. http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recense built environment; employment. Embracing Hill: A History of the Community to 1930. 37 http://www.markham.ca/Markham/ Retreived March, 22nd 2010. Available ment/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/ Future. pg. 14. Richmond Hill Public Library Board, Rich- Departments/EDO/HiTech_Capital.htm at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidi page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=351 mond Hill. 1991. pg. 8. en/080718/dq080718b-eng.htm 9036&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count& 11 This Land Archaeology Inc. Pickering Airport 38 A more recent article about the economy Jason Gilmore, Senior Analyst, Statistics SearchText=markham&SearchType= Lands, Archaeological Master Plan, 23 Dickason, Olive. Canada’s First Nations in Iceland and its continuing troubles: Canada, “Employment Quality of Immigrants Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=Visible%20 “Summary of the History of Occupation of A History of Founding Peoples from Earliest ”Iceland economy: Quick View - More and Canadian born.” minority&Custom= Total population 260, Southcentral Ontario by First Nations People Times, Oxford University Press, third edition, monetary loosening.” Economist Intelligence 760, visible minority population 170,535= Over the Past 11,000 Years.” July 2005. p.31. 2002, pgs. 108-117. Unit: Country ViewsWire 6 May 2010. General 50 Teelucksingh, Cheryl, Ph.D, Galabuzi, 65. 399% Found at www.gtaa.com/local/files/en/ OneFile. Web. 7 May 2010. Grace-Edward, Ph.D., “Working Precariously: PickeringAirportDraftPlanReport.pdf. Web. 24 Lorne Smith, Official ownT Historian The impact of race and immigrant status 4 Social Determinants of Health: The Solid May 5 2010. 39 Connie Adair. (2007, October 20). Heritage on employment opportunities and outcomes Facts. Edited by Richard Wilkinson and “The Iroquoians of the Eastern Woodlands.” 25 http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recense- Town offers taste ofAsian market; Pacific in Canada,” pg. 3. Directions, Canadian Race Michael Marmot. International Centre for First Peoples in Canada. Alan D. McMillan ment/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/ Mall :[Toronto Edition]. National Post,p. LH2. Relations Foundation. Policy Matters Health and Society, World Health Orga and Eldon Yellowhorn. Douglas and McIntrye. page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3519 Retrieved May 7, 2010, from Canadian (Metropolis) 2005. Statistics Canada. nization, Europe, 2008. www.euro.who.int/ Toronto. 2004. pg. 68. 036&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count& Newsstand Major Dailies. (Document ID: The 2008 Canadian immigrant labour market: document/e81384.pdf pg. 16. “Life SearchText=Markham&SearchType=Begis& 1370156951).40http://www.torgan.com/ Analysis of quality of employment. is short where its quality is poor. By causing 12 Dibb, Gordon C. “The Madina Phase: Late SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= About-Us.8.0.html Torgan is also known for Published: 2009. Retreived: March 22nd 2010. hardship and resentment, poverty, social Pleistocene—Early Holocene Occupation the construction of the Pacific Mall in Available at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/ exclusion and discrimination cost lives.” Along the Margins of the Simcoe Lowlands 26 Poplak, Richard. “We’re Here. We’re Tamil. Markham, Ontario. At over 270 000 sq. feet, daily-quotidien/091123/dq091123b-eng.htm Ibid, p.22 “Social cohesion—defined as the in South-Central Ontario. “Chapter 5 in The Get Used To It: After Six Months of Relentless Pacific Mall is the largest Chinese mall in quality of social relationships and the Late Paleo-Indian Great Lakes: Geological Protesting, Toronot Tamils Have Become A the western world and a recognized 51 Ibid, pg. 3 existence of trust, mutual obligations and and Archaeological Investigations of Late Serious Political Force. How a 20-Year-Old tourist destination. respect in communities or in the wider Pleistocene and Early Holocene Environ Kid From Scarborough Helped Mobilize A 52 “Markham Celebrates 20th Anniversary at society—helps to protect people and their ments, Lawrence J. Jackson and Andrew Generation.” Toronto Life August. 2009. 41 Baklid, Bente, “The Voices of Visible Civic Centre. May 23, 1991. Toronto Star. health. Inequality is corrosive of good social Hinshelwood eds., Mercury Series, Archaeol- pg. 35. Minorities Speaking Out on Breaking Down pg. N8 relations. Societies with high levels of ogy Paper 165. Canadian Museum of Barriers,” pg. 3. Conference Board of Canada, income inequality tend to have less social Civilization, Gatineau, Quebec, 2004. Mast- 27 From the Collection of the Markham Museum, Publication 629-04 http://www.conference- 53 Housing Services for Vulnerable Populations cohesion and more violent crime. High levels odon and mammoth remains have been found box of Mr. James Cane in prison Toronto June board.ca in York Region http://www.yorku.ca/yisp/ of mutual support will protect health while all over southern Ontario. Please see list of 16th 1838 made in memory of Samuel Lount presentations/mar06_2009/4_housing.pdf the breakdown of social relations, some sites at [email protected]. & P. Matthews Executed April 12th 1838. 42 Maurier, Wendy L. & Herbert C. Northcott. times following greater inequality, reduces Aging in Ontario: Diversity in the New 54 Preston, V. et. al. (2009). Immigrants and trust and increases levels of violence. When 13 Pickering Airport Lands, Archaeological 28 Hallowell, Gerald. The Oxford Companion to Millennium. Detselig Enterprises, Ltd., 2000. Homelessness – At Risk in Canada’s Outer social cohesion declined, heart disease Master Plan, Draft Report, July 2005. pgs. Canadian History. Oxford University Press, pgs. 25-26. Suburbs. A pilot study in York Region. rates rose.” 1-11. This Land Archaeology Inc. 2004. Pg. 542. Bumsted, J.M. The Peoples http://ceris.metropolis.net/research-poli of Canada: A Pre-Confederation History 2nd 43 http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recense cy/Homelessness/HomelessnessFinal 5 “Old-time Religion.” Markham 1793-1900. 14 “The Iroquoians of the Eastern Woodlands.” Ed.. Oxford Univer-sity Press, Toronto. 2003. ment/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/ ReportFinalf04.pdf Edited by Isabel Champion. Markham His First Peoples in Canada. Alan D. McMillan pgs. 347-352. page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3519 torical Society Markham. 1979. and Eldon Yellowhorn. Douglas and McIntrye. 036&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count& 55 Preston, V. et. al. (2009). Immigrants and pgs. 131-167. Toronto.2004. pg 70. 29 An interesting account of the organization SearchText=markham&SearchType=Begins Homelessness – At Risk in Canada’s Outer and mode of operation of the celebrated &SearchPR=01&B1=Education&Custom= Suburbs. A pilot study in York Region. 6 “Markham Community Profiles: All Data: 15 Dickason, Olive Patricia. Canada’s First horde of robbers known as the Markham http://ceris.metropolis.net/research-poli Religion” Statistics Canada. Ottawa. Nations: History of Founding Peoples from Gang. (1846) Toronto: Scobie & Balfour. 44 Baklid, Bente. “The Voices of Visible cy/Homelessness/HomelessnessFinal http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/ Earliest Times. Oxford University Press, 2002. Butts, Edwards. The desperate ones: forgot- Minorities—Speaking Out on Breaking Down ReportFinalf04.pdf Cannot find anything else CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1= P. 26. Waldman, Carl. Atlas of the North ten Canadian outlaws.The Markham Gang: Barriers, pg. 4. Conference Board of Canada. specific to york region CSD&Code1=3519036&Geo2=PR&Code2= American Indian, 3rd Ed. Facts On File, 2009. oath of secrecy. (2006) Toronto: Dundurn Publication 629-04. http://www.conference 35&Data=Count&SearchText=Markham& Pg. 30. “The Iroquoians of the Eastern Press. board.ca. 56 Perrott, K. and Grant, J (2008). Producing SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1= Woodlands.” Statistics Canada. Canadian Immigrant diversity in a new urbanism community: All&Custom=23% First Peoples in Canada. Alan D. McMillan 30 Living the Legacy: 175 Years of Ministry, Labour Market: Analysis by Region of Highest theory meets practice. Dalhousie University, and Eldon Yellowhorn. Douglas and McIntrye. 220 Years of History. Reverend Dr. John Post Secondary Education. Published: 2008. School of Planning. http://suburbs.plan 7 “New France.” World Book Discover. Toronto. 2004. pg. 69. S. Niles MSM, St. Andrew’s United Church— Retrieved March, 22nd 2010. Available ning.dal.ca/Docs/Diversity_Perrott_and_ World Books, 2010. Web. Markham, 2009, pp. 38-40 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily- Grant.pdf 16 Ibid, Pickering. pg. 5. quotidien/080718/dq080718b-eng.htm Fleischer, David. Markham is Minority Mecca. 8 “2006 Participation and Limitation Survey: 31 See Tour of Box Groves; http://www.his- Markham Economist and Sun, Apr. 3, 2008. Table 2 Population with and without 17 Ibid, Pickering. torictours.cahtlistasp?category=Box+Grove. 45 http://www.markham.ca/NR/rdonlyres/ disabilities, and disability rate, by province, AB185DA6-19DE-4F1E-8A64-C8A08F Art Direction: Pod 10 Art+Design Canada and provinces, 2006.” Statistics 18 Ibid, Pickering, pg. 8. C45A3B/0/secondsuite_faq_080606.pdf Printed in Canada Town of Markham For more information on demographics go to: Anthony Roman Centre http://www.markham.ca/Markham/Departments/EDO/Stats.htm 101 Town Centre Blvd, Markham, ON Canada For information on places of worship please go to: L3R 9W3 http://www.markham.ca/Markham/Templates/generic.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NR Phone: 905 477 7000 NODEGUID=%7bCF906D05-C514-4381-AFD6-43F3DEFC6C44%7d&NRORIGINALURL= Fax: 905 479 7774 %2fMarkham%2fServices%2fCmnyRsrc%2fCommServLinks%2ehtm&NRCACHEHINT= Website: www.markham.ca Guest#PLACESOFWORSHIP

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At Milne Park, Canada Day, 2008. Photograph by Stephanie Lake.